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HelpTest Code POWVB Powassan Virus, RNA, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood
Ordering Guidance
The Powassan virus polymerase chain reaction result may remain positive for a longer time in urine than in blood, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (7 days or more).
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Useful For
Rapid testing for Powassan virus RNA (lineage 1 and lineage 2) using whole blood specimens
An adjunctive test to serology for detection of early Powassan virus infection (ie, first few days after symptom onset)
This assay should not be used for screening asymptomatic individuals and should only be used to test patients with signs and symptoms of Powassan virus disease.
Special Instructions
Reporting Name
Powassan Virus, PCR, BloodSpecimen Type
Whole Blood EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Reference Values
Negative
Supportive Data
The following validation data supports the use of this assay for clinical testing.
Accuracy/Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity:
Accuracy studies were performed by testing negative clinical specimens with whole viral genomic RNA for lineages 1 and 2 near the limit of detection (LOD) and yielded greater than or equal to 97% sensitivity and specificity.
Analytical Sensitivity/Limit of Detection:
The lower LOD of this assay is 1 to 52 target copies/mcL of RNA extract for EDTA whole blood and serum, 0.1 to 5.2 copies/mcL for urine, and 0.1 to 52 copies/mcL for cerebrospinal fluid.
Precision:
Interassay and intra-assay precisions are 100%.
Specificity:
A panel of 15 organisms that can be found in the specimen types acceptable for this assay, as well as closely-related viruses (eg, dengue types 1-4, Japanese encephalitis virus, hepatitis E virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus) and those that can cause a similar clinical syndrome were tested by this assay. No cross-reacting positive results were noted.
Reportable Range:
This is a qualitative assay, and the results are reported as either negative or positive for targeted Powassan virus.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 5 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
87798
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| POWVB | Powassan Virus, PCR, Blood | 34456-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 617488 | Lineage 1 | 34456-4 |
| 618144 | Lineage 2 (Deer Tick Virus) | 34456-4 |
| 618148 | Powassan Virus PCR Comment | 77202-0 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.