To the right, specific information for submitters is provided including acceptable specimen types, minimum sample volume, packaging and shipping information and a description of the testing performed.
Below please find general information about the viruses tested including a description of the disease, transmission, whether or not a vaccine is available and geographic and seasonal distribution.
VIRUSES
- Adenovirus
-
Disease:
Upper respiratory tract disease with fever, nasal congestion, and sore throat with cough. Some serotypes can cause gastroenteritis with diarrhea, vomiting and fever, while others can cause conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis.Transmission:
Via the fecal-oral route through droplets or contact with objects contaminated with virusVaccination:
No widespread use; a vaccine against some types has been given to military personnel in other countriesAge Association:
All ages, often young childrenGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swabs, stool, rectal swabs, urine, eye swabs, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; neutralization for serotypingMolecular: Real-time and conventional PCR; Genmark RVP (Subgroups B & C, and E)
- Coxsackie Virus
-
Disease:
Mild upper respiratory disease or flu-like illness with fever and muscle aches; rash illness (hand, foot and mouth disease); encephalitis; herpangina (Coxsackie A); pleurodynia (Coxsackie B)Transmission:
Via the fecal-oral route and during the acute stage by the respiratory routeVaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
All ages, often young childrenGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Summer
- Fall
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swabs, stool, rectal swabs, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; immunofluroescence assay for typingMolecular: Real-time and conventional RT-PCR
- Cytomegalovirus
-
Disease:
Often asymptomatic; mild mononucleosis-like illness with fever and malaise; multiple organ disease (immunosuppressed patients); retinitis and polyradiculomyelopathy (AIDS patients); cytomegalic inclusion disease (fetus or transplanted tissues and organs); encephalitis. Infection results in latency. Periodic reactivation with disease is usually only seen in immunosuppressed patients.Transmission:
Close physical contact, infected semen, blood transfusions. Maternal-fetal (from a reactivation or primary infection) and perinatal via cervical secretions or milkVaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
All age groups, but most often infants and young childrenGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Urine, bronchoalveolar lavage, blood, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube cultureMolecular: Real time and conventional PCR
- Enterovirus (Including Coxsackie and Echovirus)
-
Disease:
Mild upper respiratory disease or flu-like illness with fever and muscle aches; rash illness (hand, foot and mouth disease); fever and muscle aches, followed by paralysis (polio virus); herpangina (Coxsackie A); pleurolynia (Coxsackie B) and encephalitisTransmission:
Via the fecal-oral route, oral-oral route, respiratory route, and fomiteVaccination:
Vaccine is available only for poliovirusAge Association:
All ages, often young childrenGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swabs, stool, rectal swabs, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; immunofluorescence assay for subtypingMolecular: Real-time and conventional RT-PCR
- Hantavirus
-
Disease:
The Virology Laboratory no longer offers testing for Hantavirus. Please contact Diagnostic Immunology for information on forwarding specimens to the CDC.Transmission:
Vaccination:
Age Association:
Geographic Distribution:
Seasonal Distribution:
Preferred Specimens:
Test Methods:
Culture: Molecular:
- Herpes simplex viruses Types I and II (HSV 1,2)
-
Disease:
Vesicular disease characterized by lesions in or around the mouth or genital region; fever and malaise; encephalitis. Infection results in latency with periodic reactivation.Transmission:
Oral herpes is contracted by direct physical contact. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease.Vaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
Oral herpes: all ages; genital herpes: beginning at age of sexual activityGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Vesicle/lesion swab, genital swab, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; immunofluorescence for confirmation and typingMolecular: Real time PCR
- Human metapneumovirus (hMPV)
-
Disease:
Acute upper and/or lower respiratory tract infection with fever and cough. More severe in infants and young children, most likely presenting as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. May cause secondary bacterial infection and is difficult to distinguish from RSV and other respiratory viral infections in children.Transmission:
Via the respiratory route by aerosolsVaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
Infants and young children are most commonly affected. In adults presents as influenza-like illness or pneumonia.Geographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab; bronchial washTest Methods:
Culture: Molecular: Real-time RT-PCR; Genmark RVP
- Influenza Viruses A and B
-
Disease:
Lower respiratory disease characterized by sudden onset of fever and malaise; possible secondary bacterial infections and encephalitisTransmission:
Via aerosolsVaccination:
Vaccine should be administered yearly. Inactivated influenza vaccine is administered by injection to those over 6 months old. Live attenuated virus is administered by nasal spray to healthy individuals 5 - 49 years old.Age Association:
All agesGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab, bronchial wash, and CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; hemadsorbtion assay. Serology is performed by the Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory.Molecular: Real-time RT-PCR; conventional RT-PCR for subtyping; Genmark RVP; sequencing for strain analysis (selected samples only)
- Measles Virus
-
Disease:
Highly contagious upper respiratory disease characterized by a maculopapular rash, fever, cough, or conjunctivitis; encephalitisTransmission:
Respiratory secretions by direct contact, droplets, or airborne aerosolsVaccination:
AvailableAge Association:
ChildrenGeographic Distribution:
•World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab, bronchial wash, or nasal swab, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; hemadsorbtion assay; immunofluorescence assayMolecular: Real-time and conventional RT-PCR
- Mumps Virus
-
Disease:
Acute and painful enlargement of the parotid salivary glands with slight/moderate fever. Most common complications include meningitis and orchitisTransmission:
Inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
Usually given to children at 15-24 monthsAge Association:
Most common in unvaccinated children 5-7 years of age. Usually asymptomatic in infants and very young children.Geographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Throat swab near areas around Stensen's ducts, urine, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; hemadsorbtion assay; immunofluorescence for confirmationMolecular: Real-time and conventional RT-PCR
- Parainfluenza Viruses 1-4 (PIV 1-4)
-
Disease:
Acute respiratory tract disease with slight fever, malaise, cough, and hoarseness. Most common cause of croup. May cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.Transmission:
Close contact with infected person or inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
None to dateAge Association:
Children under 5 years- lower respiratory tract infection. Causes upper respiratory tract infection in infants, children and adults.Geographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab; bronchial washTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture; hemadsorbtion assay; immunofluorescence for detection and typingMolecular: Genmark RVP (Para 1,2,3)
- Parvovirus B19
-
Disease:
Erythema infectiosum (EI), or fifth disease that typically appears as a mild rash illness with possible low fever, headache, malaise, and muscle pain. Rash characteristic of "slapped cheek" appearance with lace-like eruption on trunk and extremities. Can cause non-immune hydrops fetalis and spontaneous abortion.Transmission:
Inhalation of virus-containing aerosols. Maternal-fetal infection can occur.Vaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
Primarily school children aged 5-13 yearsGeographic Distribution:
Worldwide, with epidemics occurring every 3-5 years.Seasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Serum (acute or convalescent)Test Methods:
Culture: Molecular: Real time and conventional PCR
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
-
Disease:
Acute respiratory tract infection with fever, cough, runny nose, and fatigue. Usually presents in infants and young children as either bronchiolitis or pneumonia.Transmission:
Contact with infectious material or inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
NoneAge Association:
Infants and young children (lower respiratory tract infection); older children and adults (upper respiratory tract infection caused by reinfection)Geographic Distribution:
Worldwide, with epidemics occurring every 3-5 years.Seasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab; bronchial washTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture. Antigen detection: EIA for direct antigen detectionMolecular: Real-time RT-PCR; Genmark RVP
- Rhinovirus
-
Disease:
Most frequent cause of the common cold, with symptoms of low-grade fever, headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough. Secondary bacterial infections can occur.Transmission:
Close contact with infected person or inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
NoneAge Association:
All age groupsGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Fall
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; throat swab; nasal swabTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture (by request)Molecular: Real-time RT-PCR; Genmark RVP
- Rotavirus
-
Disease:
Acute gastroenteritis with high-grade fever, diarrhea, and vomitingTransmission:
Via the fecal-oral routeVaccination:
Available – FDA approved since 2006Age Association:
Young children, usually between the ages of 6 months and 3 yearsGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Stool without additives or preservativesTest Methods:
Culture: NoneMolecular: Real time RT-PCR
- Rubella Virus (German Measles)
-
Disease:
Mild disease presenting with rash, fever, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. Congenital infection may result in spontaneous abortion or severe malformation.Transmission:
Inhalation of virus-containing aerosols. Maternal-fetal infection can occur.Vaccination:
AvailableAge Association:
Young children, usually between the ages of 6 months and 3 yearsGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
Preferred Specimens:
Urine; throat swab; nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab or bronchial wash. Blood or stool is also acceptable.Test Methods:
Culture: NoneMolecular: Real time RT-PCR
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-coronavirus)
-
Disease:
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by high fever, headache, and body aches; atypical pneumonia; severe respiratory disease that is often fatalTransmission:
Close contact with an infected person, direct contact with infectious material, or inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
None available at this timeAge Association:
All agesGeographic Distribution:
Currently, there is no known SARS transmission anywhere in the worldSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Nasopharyngeal aspirate, nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, bronchial washTest Methods:
Culture: NoneMolecular: Real time RT-PCR
- Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
-
Disease:
Chickenpox (Varicella): Primary infection-highly contagious systemic infection presenting with fever and an itchy, generalized vesicular rash. Secondary staphylococcal and streptococcal skin infections can occur. Shingles (Zoster): Reactivation of latent VZV- painful vesicular rash, usually limited to one dermatome, most common on the thorax, neck, and face. Post-herpetic neuralgia. Encephalitis can also occur.Transmission:
Varicella: Direct contact with skin lesions, inhalation of virus-containing aerosolsVaccination:
AvailableAge Association:
Varicella: primarily young children. Zoster: older or immunocompromised adultsGeographic Distribution:
World wideSeasonal Distribution:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Preferred Specimens:
Vesicular or lesion swab, CSFTest Methods:
Culture: Conventional tube culture with immunofluorescence for confirmationMolecular: Real time PCR and conventional RT-PCR