3159. PCR. Enterovirus (stool, qualitative determination)

Enteroviruses are a group of RNA-containing viruses characterized by an icosahedral nucleocapsid and the absence of an envelope. Enterovirus infections exhibit seasonal fluctuations, with the highest number of recorded cases occurring during warmer months. The virus is isolated from the nasopharynx and intestines.

The test involves detecting enterovirus RNA in a stool sample using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This allows for high-quality confirmation of enterovirus infection, even in the preclinical stage or during atypical disease presentations.

Enteroviruses are a large group of RNA viruses from the Picornaviridae family, transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route. These include coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, polioviruses, enteroviruses types 68-71, and others. They can cause a wide range of diseases, from mild febrile illnesses and intestinal infections to severe central nervous system damage (meningitis, encephalitis), myocarditis, pericarditis, as well as rash and eye infections.

Enteroviruses are excreted in feces, making stool testing highly effective for diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance. PCR is the most sensitive and specific method for detecting viral RNA in biological material, allowing for accurate detection of infection even at low pathogen concentrations.

When?

• If acute hepatitis A is suspected, especially in the early stages of the disease (jaundice, weakness, pain in the right upper quadrant, nausea, dark urine, discolored stool).
• For epidemiological surveillance in case of hepatitis A outbreaks in children's groups, food service establishments, educational or medical institutions.
• For testing contacts in the infection site.
• As part of monitoring viral elimination after infection.

Who?

• Patients with clinical signs of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology.
• Children and adults who have had contact with a patient with hepatitis A.
• Workers in the food industry, kindergartens, and medical institutions, especially if there is a risk of an outbreak.
• People returning from regions with a high level of HAV endemicity (travel, places with poor sanitary conditions).

• Stool

MATERIAL COLLECTION RULES