West Nile virus PCR

Which test do we use?

Real-time PCR of West Nile Virus RNA

Sampling instructions

1 ml serum or 350µl cerebrospinal fluid.

For stable RNA concentrations in the serum, the serum preferably has to 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 serum at 4°C (<24h) or frozen (>24h) until transportation. Samples stored at 4°C can be sent at room temperature and frozen samples have to be sent on dry ice. 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 serum obtained at most 7 days after the onset of the fever. PCR is complementary to tracing 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)