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Genital Ulcer - VZV

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Genital Ulcer - VZV

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) infection causes two distinct diseases.

Primary infection with VZV results in varicella (chickenpox), characterized by vesicular lesions on the face, trunk, and extremities. Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, results from reactivation of latent VZV infection within the sensory ganglia and usually presents as localised skin infections.

In immunocompetent individuals, the diagnosis of herpes zoster is usually based on the clinical presentation. However, it occasionally presents with atypical skin lesions which may be confused with herpes simplex most commonly on the face or genital area. Vaccination against herpes zoster should be considered in those aged 50 and older. When the clinical presentation is uncertain, laboratory confirmation is indicated.

Enfer Medical is pleased to introduce the genital ulcer test for VZV as part of a panel, testing for Syphilis, HSV 1&2 and Varicella-Zoster virus.

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Clinical Details

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of eight herpesviruses known to cause human infection and is endemic worldwide. VZV infection causes two clinically distinct diseases: varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Transmission occurs via contact with aerosolized droplets from nasopharyngeal secretions of an infected individual or by direct cutaneous contact with vesicle fluid from skin lesions. The average incubation period for primary infection with VZV is 14 to 16 days although it can extend to 21 days in cases.

The diagnosis of VZV infection is usually a clinical diagnosis based on the characteristic vesicular lesions, which are seen widespread in chickenpox or in a restricted dermatomal pattern with associated neuritis in shingles. Additional diagnostic information may be useful where there is an atypical rash in an immunocompromised host or possible disseminated disease in an immunosuppressed host without cutaneous lesions. In addition, serologic testing may be necessary to determine if an individual at increased risk for varicella requires immunisation (e.g., a healthcare worker).

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At Enfer Medical, we have integrated a cutting-edge and fully automated WASPLab® (Walk Away Specimen Processor) that has significantly enhanced our testing capabilities to ensure the highest of quality when processing patient samples.
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WASPLab® at Enfer Medical
Our entire microbiology workflow has been optimized using automation and highly sophisticated robots to ensure uninterrupted incubation for rapid bacterial growth and improved turnaround times for patients.
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Sample Type &
Volume Required

Genital swab specimen in 1-3 mL viral transport media (VTM):

  • ENAT PM 2ML REGULAR APPLICATOR (Copan)
  • UTM with Flocked Swabs (Copan)
  • Swab Speciman Collection Kit (Qiagen Corporation)

Please note for patients with suspected Monkeypox infection, samples should be collected in viral inactivation buffer. The eNAT specimen collection and transport device has been validated for this purpose and can be supplied by our team at Enfer Medical or sourced through local distributors.

Enfer Medical

Tests/Assays

The test for Varicella-zoster DNA offered by Enfer Medical is carried out by real-time multiplexed PCR, as part of an extended genital ulcer panel. This test is CE-IVD certified.

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Panel Tests
The pathogens detected on this panel are:
Viruses  Bacteria
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Treponema pallidum
Herpes Simplex Virus 2
Varicella Zoster Virus
Patient

Request Form

For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.

Enfer Medical Portal

Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Monkeypox virus should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.

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24 hours

Results are available next working day.

7 Days a Week

This assay is available seven days a week.

Packaging

The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:

  • Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
  • Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
  • Outer container protects the secondary container.
  • Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.


Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.

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Storage & Stability

Samples must be tested within 1 week of collection and stored at 2-8°C.

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Transporting
Samples

In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.

Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.

Acceptance/Rejection
of Samples

In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:

  • Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
  • Incorrect sample type received.
  • Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
  • Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
  • Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
Clients will be provided with guidance on Sample Receipt Anomalies.

Our Services

Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Service
All Services
View the full suite of services at Enfer Medical here.......
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Result Values:
Qualitative results for each Pathogen on the Panel will be reported as:
Qualitative results
  • DETECTED
  • NOT DETECTED
  • INVALID
Please note that Varicella-zoster virus is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 53 of 2020) February 2020.

Please refer to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre for the Case Definitions for Notifiable Diseases:

HPSC Case Definitions for Notifiable Diseases
Accessing

Your Results

Following receipt at the Laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Customer Portal or in a format agreed with clients.

Customer Login

Established customers can login to the portal using the link above.

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Our Services

Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Service
All Services
View the full suite of services at Enfer Medical here.......
Find Out More