There are 3 different types of approved tests available for diagnosis of WNV:
| Test | Description/ results |
| IgM antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (WNV IgM ELISA) |
Detectable levels of IgM may not be present during the first week of illness. Antibody production in immunocompromised individuals may be delayed. There may be cross-reactivity with other closely-related flavivirusus. IgM antibodies may persist for 6 months or longer so may not indicate acute infection. Positive results should be verified by WNV-NAT or PRNT. |
| WNV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (WNV-NAT) |
WNV nucleic acid amplification tests detect nucleic acid sequences to identify WNV and can detect viremia early in the disease before antibodies are produced. False negatives and positives may occur. Confirmatory testing of positive results should be conducted. All civilian blood donations in the US have been screened by WNV-NAT since July 14, 2003. |
| Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) |
Requires growth of the virus so may take a week or more. May be used to differentiate viruses if person has been exposed to closely-related viruses and may have a false positive as a result. Test available at CDC and a few state laboratories. |
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