Enterovirus PCR - stool specimen
- LIS Mnemonic: ENTPCR
Collect
Stool in a sterile, leak-proof container
Volume Required
2 to 4 ml of liquid stool; 2 to 4 grams of formed stool
Minimum Required
2 ml of liquid stool; 2 grams of formed stool
Transport
Keep specimen at 4C
Processing
The specimen of choice is stool. Rectal swabs are inferior to stool specimens for the detection of viruses and are discouraged. If it is necessary to collect a rectal swab, a sufficient quantity of fecal material (at least a pea-sized amount) should be obtained. If fecal material is not clearly visible on the swab, the specimen is most likely inadequate. Rectal swabs should be immediately placed in viral transport medium.
Unacceptable conditions
Swab specimens not received in viral transport medium or received in bacteriological transport medium are discouraged. DO NOT USE CALCIUM ALGINATE OR WOODEN SHAFT SWABS FOR COLLECTION OF SPECIMENS; ONLY USE DACRON OR RAYON TIPPED SWABS ON PLASTIC OR METAL SHAFTS.
Days Performed
Daily
Reported
Same day
Reflex Testing
N/A
CPT
87798
Methodology
Amplification and detection of enterovirus RNA 5'-untranslated region using TaqMan real-time PCR technology. This test is performed pursuant to an agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
Interpretation
If positive, results are reported as enterovirus RNA detected.
Reference Values
Negative or no enterovirus RNA detected
Remarks
Recovery of enteroviruses may be enhanced by collecting specimens from multiple different body sites. These may include CSF, urine, blood (serum or plasma), respiratory, stool, tissue (e.g., liver, myocardium), and sterile body fluids (e.g., pericardial fluid, pleural fluid). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the specimen of choice for detecting enteroviruses in patients with aseptic meningitis or other central nervous system (CNS) diseases. It is also recommended that urine and serum specimens be sent on all patients with CNS disease to increase the likelihood of finding an enterovirus. A positive result from any one of these specimens is diagnostic for enteroviral disease. Both urine and serum should be sent on neonates and other children that present with sepsis or acute nonfocal febrile illness. Please Note: positive results from respiratory and stool specimens do not always correlate with disease because of prolonged viral shedding. Positive results from these specimens should be interpreted accordingly. Please call the Clinical Virology Laboratory at extension 42050 for more information on requirements for specimen collection and handling.
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