The U.H. Molecular Diagnostics Core Laboratory is performing hantavirus antibody testing, by SIA, under the direction of Dr. Brian Hjelle. Ph. (505) 272-4627; (505) 272-4783. The SIA is a multiantigen rapid strip test that can distinguish acute from past infection with Sin Nombre virus. The test is conducted by the TriCore Corporation. The cost is $117/sample.
Specimen Requirements: Blood should be drawn into a serum separator tube. The specimen should be spun to separate the serum and held at refrigerated temperature. A minimum of 1 ml of serum is required to run the assay. Specimens originating at UNM Hospital can be held in CPA in the large tan refrigerator in the rack labeled Hanta. Molecular Diagnostics should then be notified at (505) 272-4627.
Specimen Receiving/Shipping:
U.H. Specimens: Specimens collected within University Hospital may be taken to CPA for processing.
Referral Specimens: Specimens sent from referrals outside University Hospital should be sent on ice, same day or next day delivery to -
Monday - Friday Specimen
Receipt
8:00am - 5:00pm
Molecular Diagnostics Core Laboratory
The University of New
Mexico Health Science Center
Department of Pathology
Room 327 Basic Medical Sciences Building
915 Camino de Salud N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-5301
Saturday Specimen Receipt must be arranged through the TriCore Molecular Diagnostics Lab by 3:00pm Friday. See "special testing" below.
Testing Times:
Standard Testing: Specimens received in the molecular lab before 10:00am Monday through Saturday will be run the same day with results available approximately 5:00pm. Specimens received after 10:00am Monday through Thursday will be reported the next weekday. After consultation with the submitter, appropriate supplementary testing (western blot, PCR, immunohistochemistry) will be performed to resolve any indeterminate results.
Special Testing: If determined clinically necessary by a U.H. physician, the test can be performed on Saturday. However, the Molecular Lab must be notified by 3:00pm on Friday. Saturday testing can only be guaranteed if the Molecular Lab is notified by 3:00pm Friday and if a U.H. physician has approved Saturday performance. Specimens that are not arranged in advance will be reported on the following Monday.
Physicians Able to Approve Saturday Hantavirus Testing
Phone (area code 505)
Dr. Brian Hjelle 272-0624 or 272-5872
Dr. Diane Goade 272-5666
Dr. Tom Williams 272-5872
Dr. Greg Mertz 272-5666
Dr. Fred Koster 272-5666
Dr. Karla Thornton 272-5666
Dr. Elaine Thomas 272-5666
Dr. Sarah Allen 272-5666
Dr. Peggy Beeley 272-4400
Dr. Sue Kellie 272-5666
Alternative: Call 1-888-866-7257 PALS line
RT-PCR Testing
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is never used as the primary diagnostic test for hantavirus infection except when no serum sample is available. RT-PCR is used to confirm serologic results in those rare instances where serum specimens are of poor quality and/or when an "indeterminate" serologic result is obtained. RT-PCR testing can be performed with fresh-frozen tissue obtained by biopsy or at autopsy, or with fresh EDTA-anticoagulated blood, or with fresh-frozen blood clot. About 70% of serum samples are positive by PCR. Please contact us if you wish to submit a sample for RT-PCR testing.
Immunochemistry
The UNM Hospital Division of Surgical Pathology performs immunohistochemical testing of tissue sections for hantavirus nucleocapsid protein. This utilizes a rabbit serum raised against the intact Sin Nombre virus nucleocapsid antigen. To date other American hantavirus species associated with pulmonary insufficiency have been strongly cross reactive.
It is recommended that the immunohistochemical test be performed in conjunction with a consultative morphologic evaluation of lung tissue. The fee for the written consultation is $80.00, and $84.00 for performance and interpretation of the immunohistochemical test.
Specimen requirements: Routinely fixed and paraffin embedded lung and kidney tissue (preferably 10% neutral buffered formalin fixative). Paraffin blocks are preferred, although precut tissue sections mounted on charged slides are also acceptable. For immunohistochemical testing, kidney cortex has proven a reliable alternative tissue to lung. For morphologic diagnosis, specimens of spleen, liver, lymph node and peripheral blood are helpful though not necessary.
Receiving and Shipping:
Molecular Diagnostics Core Laboratory
The University of New Mexico Health Science Center
Department of Pathology
Room 332 Basic Medical Sciences Building
915 Camino de Salud N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-5301
Testing Times: Consultative reports involving immunohistochemical testing are routinely finalized within two to three working days of receipt. Report copies will be faxed as requested.
Rhodent Testing
Hantavirus antibody testing by strip immunoblot assay and RT-PCR testing are available on a research basis. Please consult Dr. Hjelle before submitting samples. For other rodent antibody testing on collections of >10 specimens, a charge of $3.00 per sample will generally be applied, if we are provided blood or serum aliquots in O-ring sealed tubes of no more than 2 ml size. All specimens must be identified to at least the generic level and a paper-list of all submitted specimens must be included. Shipment by Federal Express must be conducted according to current biosafety guidelines for etiologic agents. Currently 9 hantavirus N antigens are available for antibody testing (Sin Nombre virus, Bayou virus, Muleshoe virus, Andes virus, Rio Mamore virus, Puumala virus, Prospect Hill virus, Seoul virus, and Hantaan virus).
In general we recommend that carcasses of captured rodents be submitted to the University of New Mexico Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) after obtaining their approval. The samples are then catalogued as to species and frozen tissues (lung, kidney, heart, liver) and voucher specimens (skins and skeletons) are prepared.
