Back to Test Compendium

JC Virus Quantitative NAAT – Saskatoon

Discipline

Microbiology

Overview

Description

  • John Cunningham (JC) polyomavirus infections are usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent patients, but can cause significant disease in immunocompromised patients. Clinical correlation with patient history is required for interpretation of results.
  • JC virus can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Ordering recommendations
  • Transplant and/or immunocompromised patients presenting with potential poloyomavirus-associated nephropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis, or PML.

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Plasma
  • CSF

Specimen collection container

  • Plasma
    • EDTA (Lavender top) tube
  • CSF
    • CSF collection kit, or
    • Sterile, black screw-cap, round bottom tube

Collection procedure

  • Plasma: Collect blood in vacutainer containing EDTA (lavender stopper). Specimen must be separated by centrifugation within 24h of collection.
  • CSF: Collect CSF using a CSF collection kit (preferred), or collect into a sterile, black screw-cap, round bottom tube.

Required volume

  • Plasma: 1 EDTA (Lavender Top) tube, 4 mL (1 mL minimum)
    • If Multiple Quantitative PCRs are ordered on the same specimen, a minimum of 3 mls is required to ensure repeated testing is possible if needed.
  • CSF: 2 mL optimal (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport and stability

  • Plasma: Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 24h of collection. Plasma should be stored at 4°C and shipped on ice packs within 48h of collection. If shipping is delayed > 48h, store at -20°C and ship on dry ice.
  • CSF: store at 4°C and ship on ice packs

Performance

Methodology

  • Quantitative NAAT testing via LDT on the DiaSorin MDX

Maximum laboratory time

Result reporting
  • Test is performed on Thursday Every Week
  • The quantitative range for this assay is 2000 IU/mL to 20 million IU/mL. Viral loads outside this range cannot be accurately quantified.
  • Viral loads measured as <2000 IU/mL or >20 million IU/mL are only reported as "Positive" because exact quantitation is not possible

Specimen retention time

Saskatoon

  • Plasma is retained for 7 days after completion of testing
  • Urine is retained for 7 days after completion of testing
  • CSF is retained for 7 days after completion of testing

Last Updated: October 8, 2024