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NC Department of Health and Human Services
State Laboratory of Public Health
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Virology / Serology: Special Serology

Arbovirus

Diagnostic serologic assays are performed on serum and CSF suspected for Arbovirus. The Arbovirus panel includes Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), LaCrosse Encephalitis (LAC), and West Nile Virus (WNV). Classical WNV fever is often associated with headache, lymphadenopathy, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. WNV Central Nervous System (CNS) infection is associated with meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, and/or acute flaccid paralysis resembling Guillian-Barre syndrome. All specimens received will be tested for IgG antibodies to EEE, WEE, LAC, SLE, and WNV and IgM antibodies to WNV and LAC by immunofluorescence (IFA) or enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

For specimen submission and shipping guidance, refer to our SCOPE. 

Rickettsia

Diagnostic and immune status serologic assays are performed for various rickettsial agents transmitted by arthropods, such as Ehrlichia chaffeensis (human monocytic ehrlichiosis), Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) and R. typhi (endemic typhus) on clinical samples.

Early signs of disease are non-specific including fever and headache. Initial diagnosis of SFR is made based on clinical signs, symptoms and medical history, and confirmed by using serologic tests. Since rickettsial diseases can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, patients with suspected disease should be treated immediately in accordance with CDC published guidelines. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, the disease can be fatal.

For specimen submission and shipping guidance, refer to our SCOPE.

CDC Referral

Serologic tests for antibodies to some bacterial, fungal, parasitic, chlamydial, rickettsial, and viral agents not performed at this laboratory are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado.

For questions on testing conducted at CDC, please consult the CDC Test Directory, which provides specimen information, test parameters, turn-around times, and CDC contact information for each test offered at CDC.

For specimen submission and shipping guidance, refer to our SCOPE.

Virology/Serology Information