Removal · field guidance
Powassan virus serology and CSF testing
Powassan diagnosis relies on IgM serology and CSF PCR/IgM, sent through state health labs or CDC due to limited commercial availability.
Steps
schema.org/HowTo01
Send serum for Powassan-specific IgM (typically MAC-ELISA at a state lab or CDC).
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In suspected encephalitis, collect CSF for PCR and IgM testing.
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PCR has limited sensitivity once neuroinvasive disease has begun (virus often cleared from blood).
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CSF IgM with confirmatory PRNT (plaque reduction neutralization) is the standard confirmation.
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Coordinate with the state public-health laboratory; commercial labs rarely offer testing.
Diseases this can help prevent
1 known