Testing should only be performed on individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Zika virus clinical criteria (e.g., clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus infection) and/or CDC Zika virus epidemiological criteria (e.g. history of residence in, or travel to a geographic region with active Zika transmission at the time of travel, or other epidemiologic criteria for which Zika virus testing may be indicated, such as possible sexual transmission). Most people with Zika virus infection are asymptomatic. Symptomatic individuals typically experience a mild illness characterized by fever, joint pain, rash, or conjunctivitis. Clinical illness is usually self-limited and lasts a week or less. Not all symptomatic patients report all of these clinical findings, and Zika manifestations overlap significantly with those seen in other viral infections. The incubation period is unclear, but likely to be several days. Symptoms generally resolve on their own within a week.
Pregnant women at risk for Zika virus in the U.S. and in endemic areas are of special concern due to the increased incidence of babies with microcephaly or other congenital defects if mothers are infected during pregnancy. Please refer to the CDC guidelines for the appropriate testing in pregnant women (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/pregnant-woman.html).
Zika virus RNA may be detected in serum for approximately 4-7 days following onset of symptoms; but may be detected longer in a pregnant woman, thus the optimum time to perform serum RNA testing is during the first week after the onset of clinical illness in non-pregnant patients. During pregnancy, the duration of viremia and/or viruria may be prolonged. Evidence suggests that pregnant women may have detectable virus in serum for up to 14 days or longer, therefore PCR testing is recommended at least up to 14 days or longer in a pregnant woman. Optimal time for testing urine is within 14 days of symptoms. For patients who are 2-12 weeks post-symptom onset, serologic testing should be considered. Test results should be used in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms, epidemiological information and relevant travel history to diagnose Zika virus infection.
Zika infection shares epidemiologic and clinical features with chikungunya, dengue, and other infections. Molecular and/or serologic testing for Zika infection may be useful to diagnose the etiology of a given (usually travel-related) illness and guide further testing and management as needed.
Specimens must not be left in lock bins.
When to test from CDC
Pregnancy Screen Tool from CDC
3.0 mL Serum from a Red Top Tube in a Plastic Vial
and
2.0 mL Urine in a Aptima Urine Collection Kit
Unacceptable Ambient
7 days Refrigerated (Transport)
30 days Frozen
Order Zika test separately from other tests - on a separate test requisition
Serum:
| Zika RNA, Serum | Not detected |
| Zika RNA, Urine | Not detected |
Testing should only be performed on individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Zika virus clinical criteria (e.g., clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus infection) and/or CDC Zika virus epidemiological criteria (e.g. history of residence in, or travel to a geographic region with active Zika transmission at the time of travel, or other epidemiologic criteria for which Zika virus testing may be indicated, such as possible sexual transmission). Most people with Zika virus infection are asymptomatic. Symptomatic individuals typically experience a mild illness characterized by fever, joint pain, rash, or conjunctivitis. Clinical illness is usually self-limited and lasts a week or less. Not all symptomatic patients report all of these clinical findings, and Zika manifestations overlap significantly with those seen in other viral infections. The incubation period is unclear, but likely to be several days. Symptoms generally resolve on their own within a week.
Pregnant women at risk for Zika virus in the U.S. and in endemic areas are of special concern due to the increased incidence of babies with microcephaly or other congenital defects if mothers are infected during pregnancy. Please refer to the CDC guidelines for the appropriate testing in pregnant women (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/pregnant-woman.html).
Zika virus RNA may be detected in serum for approximately 4-7 days following onset of symptoms; but may be detected longer in a pregnant woman, thus the optimum time to perform serum RNA testing is during the first week after the onset of clinical illness in non-pregnant patients. During pregnancy, the duration of viremia and/or viruria may be prolonged. Evidence suggests that pregnant women may have detectable virus in serum for up to 14 days or longer, therefore PCR testing is recommended at least up to 14 days or longer in a pregnant woman. Optimal time for testing urine is within 14 days of symptoms. For patients who are 2-12 weeks post-symptom onset, serologic testing should be considered. Test results should be used in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms, epidemiological information and relevant travel history to diagnose Zika virus infection.
Zika infection shares epidemiologic and clinical features with chikungunya, dengue, and other infections. Molecular and/or serologic testing for Zika infection may be useful to diagnose the etiology of a given (usually travel-related) illness and guide further testing and management as needed.
3 to 4 days
00913333
87798 x 2
