Zika Virus: Overview and Laboratory Testing (Online CE Course)

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 2 hour(s) Approved through 6/30/2025

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Serology/Immunology): 2 hour(s) Approved through 6/30/2025

Objectives

• Describe the virology and pathogenesis of the Zika virus.
• Describe the modes of transmission, symptoms, and infection risks.
• Determine the risk of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and the evaluation and consequences of congenital infections.
• Discuss the diagnosis of Zika virus infection using a combination of clinical symptoms, history, and diagnostic testing.
• Define the main laboratory tests used for Zika virus identification, including RT-PCR, Zika IgM ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT).
• Review the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on Zika virus testing and diagnosis, with emphasis on the evaluation of women and newborns with peripartum Zika virus exposure.
• Examine the prevention and treatment of Zika virus infections and the status of vaccine development.
• Review the CDC's Zika virus testing algorithms for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

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Course Outline

• Introduction: Virology and Transmission
• Virology and Transmission
• Virology and Transmission (continued)
• Which of the following choices are true relative to the Zika virus? (Select all that apply.)
• Mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus typically lay their eggs in moving water (such as streams and rivers) and live near people, where they usually bite...
• History
• Transmission History
• Which of the following statements about the transmission history of the Zika virus is false?
• Symptoms, Infection, and Risks
• Symptoms of Zika Infection
• Clinical Manifestation and Congenital Zika Virus Infection
• Zika Virus Infection Risks
• Which statement describing the symptoms and/or conditions associated with Zika infection is TRUE?
• What is the rare neurological condition that can occur with a congenital Zika virus infection in which an infant's head is significantly smaller than ...
• Patient Management: General population, Pregnancy, and Newborns
• Zika Management for the General Population
• Zika Virus Infection Management for Pregnant Women
• Zika Virus Infection Management for Women Wanting to Become Pregnant
• Zika Virus Infection Management for Women Wanting to Prevent Pregnancy
• If an individual becomes infected with the Zika virus, it is not likely that he or she will be protected from future infections.
• Zika virus infection primarily spreads via infected mosquitoes but can also spread through sexual contact and blood transfusions.
• Which of these statements accurately corresponds with the CDC's most recent guidelines on pregnancy management for Zika virus infections?
• Newborn Management, Evaluation, and Follow-up
• Which of the following statements is NOT one of the CDC's recommendations for the assessment and testing for Zika virus infection in infants?
• Diagnosis and Laboratory Testing
• Overview: Diagnosis and Testing
• Overview: Diagnosis and Testing (continued)
• Specimen Types and Collection
• Since clinical symptoms of Zika virus infection may be absent or minimal, a definitive diagnosis is usually made by laboratory testing of serum or uri...
• The __________ test measures the Zika virus RNA and is often employed early in the course of the infection. Typically, a positive result using this ty...
• Laboratory Tests Used for Zika Virus Identification
• Zika Virus Testing Information Available for Laboratories
• CDC-Approved Zika Assays and Qualified Laboratories
• For qualified laboratories within the United States, the CDC has made available two tests for use in identifying the Zika virus; the Trioplex rRT-PCR ...
• Information for Laboratories: Diagnostic Tests and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
• All of the following statements correctly describe the FDA's EUA for the detection of the Zika virus, EXCEPT?
• Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)
• Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is a PCR method that converts sample DNA into complimentary-RNA (cRNA) using the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
• Trioplex Real-Time RT-PCR Assay
• Zika IgM ELISA (Zika MAC-ELISA)
• Zika MAC-ELISA: Key Facts
• Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT)
• Which choices accurately describe the Trioplex Real-Time RT-PCR Assay? (Select all that apply.)
• Key Considerations: Interpreting and Reporting Zika Test Results
• The CDC requires that samples with presumptive positive, equivocal, or inconclusive IgM test results for the Zika virus must be forwarded for confirma...
• CDC Guidelines on Zika Virus Testing and Diagnosis
• Overview and Testing Algorithms
• Overview and Testing Algorithms: Pregnant or Non-Pregnant Symptomatic Individuals
• Overview and Testing Algorithm: Asymptomatic Pregnant Women
• If an asymptomatic pregnant woman is considered to have a possible Zika virus exposure, testing of serum and urine using Zika virus NAT should occur t...
• Prevention, Treatment and Vaccine Development
• Prevention
• Prevention of mosquito bites, making plans before and after traveling to areas of Zika virus outbreaks, and protecting yourself during sex are all way...
• Treatment
• Vaccine Development
• Summary and Recommendations
• Summary and Recommendations:
• Summary and Recommendations (continued)
• Links to CDC and FDA Zika Information Updates
• References
• References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate