Laboratory parameters 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.
Serum or plasma
- IgM and IgG serum antibodies to Zika virus [blood collection: from day 8-27 after symptom onset; only antibody detection is possible after the 4th week of illness]Caution: cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses (e.g., TBE, yellow fever, or dengue virus) in ELISA and IIFT. Only a detection of antibodies against Zika virus in a neutralization test is specific!
- Virus genome RT-PCR in EDTA blood [by day 7 after symptom onset].
Urine
- Viral genome RT-PCR in urine [by day 7 after symptom onset; detectable up to 14 days after symptom onset].
Amniotic fluid
- ZikV RNA in the context of amniocentesis (amniotic fluid puncture) – if ZikV infection is detected during pregnancy Note: If the result is negative, ZikV infection is not excluded!
Doctors in Germany can send specimen material directly to the Bernhard Nocht Institute.
In Germany, the disease according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) is so far not reportable.
Further notes
- Note: Anyone returning ill from a tropical trip should seek a tropical medical examination, especially if fever is present. Above all, malaria should be excluded first!
- When returning from epidemic areas, in the absence of symptoms, a serological examination (IgM and IgG detection from serum) is only useful when it comes to currently pregnant female travelers and male travelers with pregnant sexual partner.
