Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

23178 West Nile Virus Antibody, IgG & IgM, Spinal Fluid (WNC)

West Nile Virus Antibody, IgG & IgM, Spinal Fluid (WNC)
Test Code: WNCSFSO
Synonyms/Keywords
Viral encephalitis, West Nile virus(WNV), WNV (West Nile virus)
Test Components

​West Nile Virus Antibody IgG

West Nile Virus Antibody IgM

Useful For
​Preferred test for the laboratory diagnosis of West Nile virus meningitis or encephalitis
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
CSF​ Sterile vial​ 1.0 mL​
0.8 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 14 days​
Frozen ​ 14 days​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Monday through Friday(June through October)
 
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (November through May) ​
Same day/1 day
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)​
Reference Lab
Test Information
​Samples will be tested for West Nile Virus IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay.
Reference Range Information
IgG: negative
IgM: negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
​IgM
A positive result is consistent with the acute phase of West Nile virus (WNV) meningitis or encephalitis. In the very early stages of acute WNV infection, IgM may be detectable in cerebrospinal fluid before it becomes detectable in serum.
 
A negative result may indicate the absence of disease. However, specimens drawn too early in the acute phase may be negative for IgM-specific antibodies to WNV. If WNV central nervous system (CNS) infection is suspected, a second specimen should be collected in 1 to 2 weeks and tested.
 
IgG
A positive result is consistent with CNS infection with WNV some time in the past.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
86788​ WNV, IgM​
86789 ​ WNV, IgG​
Synonyms/Keywords
Viral encephalitis, West Nile virus(WNV), WNV (West Nile virus)
Test Components

​West Nile Virus Antibody IgG

West Nile Virus Antibody IgM

Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​West Nile Virus CSF
​Cerner ​West Nile Virus Antibodies IgG and IgM CSF (88680)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
CSF​ Sterile vial​ 1.0 mL​
0.8 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 14 days​
Frozen ​ 14 days​
Useful For
​Preferred test for the laboratory diagnosis of West Nile virus meningitis or encephalitis
Test Components

​West Nile Virus Antibody IgG

West Nile Virus Antibody IgM

Reference Range Information
IgG: negative
IgM: negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
​IgM
A positive result is consistent with the acute phase of West Nile virus (WNV) meningitis or encephalitis. In the very early stages of acute WNV infection, IgM may be detectable in cerebrospinal fluid before it becomes detectable in serum.
 
A negative result may indicate the absence of disease. However, specimens drawn too early in the acute phase may be negative for IgM-specific antibodies to WNV. If WNV central nervous system (CNS) infection is suspected, a second specimen should be collected in 1 to 2 weeks and tested.
 
IgG
A positive result is consistent with CNS infection with WNV some time in the past.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Monday through Friday(June through October)
 
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (November through May) ​
Same day/1 day
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
86788​ WNV, IgM​
86789 ​ WNV, IgG​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.