Division Laboratory criteria

Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

At least one of the following three:

• Isolation of virus in cell culture from any clinical specimen and identification of SARS-CoV using method such as RT-PCR

• Detection SARS-CoV nucleic acid in at least one of the following three:

  • At least two different clinical specimens (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab and stool)

  • The same clinical specimen collected on two or more occasions during the course of the illness (e.g. sequential nasopharyngeal aspirates)

  • Two different assays or repeat RT-PCR using a new RNA extract from the original clinical sample on each occasion of testing

SARS-CoV specific antibody response by one of the following two:

• Seroconversion by ELISA or IFA in acute and convalescent phase serum tested in parallel

• Fourfold or greater rise in antibody titre between acute and convalescent phase sera tested in parallel

Laboratory criteria for a probable case

At least one of the following two:

• A single positive antibody test for SARS-CoV

• A positive PCR result for SARS-CoV on a single clinical specimen and assay