Enterovirus and Parechovirus RNA PCR
Description:
Qualitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for Enterovirus RNA and Parechovirus RNA. This assay is available routinely Mon to Fri.
Clinical details:
The majority of Enterovirus infections are asymptomatic, but symptoms can include mild respiratory illness, non-specific fever, rash, headache, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle pain, aseptic meningitis, life threatening infections such as myocarditis, encephalitis, neonatal sepsis and paralytic poliomyelitis. Known disease associations include herpangina (vesicles in the throat), hand foot and mouth disease, Bornholm disease (chest pain) and acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis.
Human Parechoviruses cause mild gastrointestinal and respiratory illness. Myocarditis, encephalitis and flaccid paralysis are rare. Severe diseas may occur in infants
Human Parechoviruses cause mild gastrointestinal and respiratory illness. Myocarditis, encephalitis and flaccid paralysis are rare. Severe diseas may occur in infants
Reference range:
Qualitative: Detected/Not Detected
Synonyms or keywords:
EV, PEV, Parecho, Entero, Echovirus, Coxsackie virus
Units:
Not applicable
Department:
Location:
Sample type and Volume required:
Rectal swab (RS) or faeces, throat swab (TS), nose and throat swab (NTS), nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA), broncho alveolar lavage (BAL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Viral swabs (not bacterial), discuss with laboratory if unsure of swab suitability before taking sample. Use standard viral swabs in Universal transport medium (UTM). For samples other than swabs use a sterile universal container with no additives.
Viral swabs (not bacterial), discuss with laboratory if unsure of swab suitability before taking sample. Use standard viral swabs in Universal transport medium (UTM). For samples other than swabs use a sterile universal container with no additives.
Turnaround time:
3 working days
Storage and transport:
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be sent to CSR promptly as the sensitivity of assays that detect RNA/DNA depend on sample quality/integrity. Please store samples in a refrigerator if there is a delay in sending samples to CSR.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730
Laboratory:
Last updated: 04/12/2017
