Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) PCR Cerebrospinal Fluid - Saskatoon

Overview

Description

Ordering recommendations

• See Ordering Recommendations for Clinical Microbiology Testing webpage to ensure requisition and specimen requirements are met prior to collection.

Test ordering requirements

Forms required

• Microbiology Requisition

Alias

• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Herpes zoster

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

• Lumbar puncture

Specimen collection container

Refer to CSF Collection Guidelines for order of draw instructions

•  Preferred: CSF Collection Kit
•  Alternate: Sterile, Black screw-cap, Round bottom tube

 

Required volume

• Optimal: 1 mL                                                         
• Minimum: 0.2 mL                                                        

Transport and stability

• Refrigerate at 2 to 8°C if sample cannot be immediately transported to laboratory

Rejection criteria

• Clotted CSF

• CSF with normal parameters

• CSF other than lumbar puncture

• CSF already spun or processed by another department 

• Insufficient volume (>3 years of age) 

• Improperly labelled specimens

• Leaking specimens that cannot be safely decontaminated

• Specimens less than 100 µL. Minimum volume of patient <2 years of age is 100 µL

Performance

Methodology

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• BIOFIRE panel

Days/times performed

Availability	Everyday STAT requests outside of 0700-1530 must be cleared by the Microbiologist-on-call at 306-655-1000
Testing site	Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, RUH

 

Maximum laboratory time

Results reporting

• 24 hour turn around time
• Positive results are phoned to Attending Physician and printed to the ward

Specimen retention time

• 3 months at -20°C

Last Updated: June 16, 2026