• Medical Research Institute - Sri Lanka

    The premier medical research institute in Sri Lanka
  • Medical Research Institute - Sri Lanka

    The premier medical research institute in Sri Lanka
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Zika Virus Infection

Department of Virology, Medical Research Institute

Zika virus infection Testing

Brief   guideline for sending samples to MRI, V.2 Zika Virus Request Form (Click)

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
In response, CDC has issued travel notices for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
Other External links:
More details from  http://www.cdc.gov/zika/
WHO-PAHO
Zika virus selectively infects and kills glioblastoma cells in mice
09/05/2017 06:00 PM EDT
Researchers describe the impact of Zika virus on glioblastoma cells in human tissue samples and mice
Diagnosing facility is currently available at MRI- Sri Lanka
Zika virus Real-time PCR Test  Brief guideline (Qualitative assay ) for send-out samples 15.09.2016(Word)

Special Request for  sending samples in case of suspected Zika virus infection( XLS)

Special Request for  sending samples in case of suspected Zika virus infection(PDF)

Description

Criteria for testing
  1. Signs and symptoms of zika virus  with travel history to high risk countries
  2. Pregnant females with travel history to high risk countries

Request

Very brief history is mandatory highlighting

  1. clinical features: acute fever, rash, conjunctivitis, headache, myalgia, arthralgia
  2. travel history to high risk countries (areas)
  3. day of illness that the blood/urine was collected for zika infection testing
  4. any other investigations done for viral infections: dengue, chikungunya

Fill all the other fields in the request form very clearly.

Test Method

1.Molecular Testing(Zika -RNA detection by Real time PCR assay, qualitative assay)

1.Serological Testing

 (Zika IgM antibody ELISA)

Time of Sample collection

1.Blood sample should be collected within first 07 days of illness

2.Urine sample should be collected within first 14 days of illness

Late blood/ urine samples should not be accepted for the zika virus PCR test

1.Blood sample should be collected after 2-12 weeks of illness/exposure

Sample type/ Volume/ Container

Blood in EDTA tube or plain sterile plastic disposable (red top) tube,

minimum 2mL volume

Heparinized or very low volume samples

(< 2 mL) may not be accepted

Urine – sterile plastic vial with screw cap or sterile plastic screw cap bottle, 2mL volume

Blood in plain plastic disposable (red top) tube,

minimum 2mL volume

Container should be properly labeled.

Transport and short term storage

Specimen should be transported to the laboratory at 2 to 8°C as soon as possible,

 if in delay they may be stored in the refrigerator at 2 to 8°C up to 2 days before being tested

Test Availability

The assay is performed depending on the requirement