Tick-borne encephalitis virus PCR

Which test do we use?

Real-time RT-PCR for detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)

Sampling instructions

Preferably: Urine (≥ 5 ml) in a sterile tube. Alternatively: serum/plasma (1ml), cerebrospinal fluid(350 µl) .

For stable RNA concentrations, the serum/plasma should preferably be separated from the cells immediately after collection. If not possible, the sample can be stored for 6 hours at most at 4°C.

Storage conditions

Store urine immediately at 4°C. If transportation is not possible within 24 hours, the urine has to be stored and sent at -20°C. Urine in Cobas® buffer (Roche Diagnostics P/N 06466281190) can be stored and transported at 15-30°C.

Store serum/ cerebrospinal fluid at 4°C until transportation. Samples can be sent at room temperature, but transportation time must be kept to a minimum (avoid weekends and holidays). Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of the samples.

Important advice

This test is only carried out on samples obtained at most 14 days (urine) or <7 days (serum/ plasma/cerebrospinal fluid) after the onset of the fever. If neurological symptoms are present, PCR on serum/ plasma/ cerebrospinal fluid is no longer usefull and it would be best to test for antibodies against the virus.
Mention the country of origin, the date symptoms started and the date of sample collection on the request form.

Request form National Reference Center (NRC)