New York physicians can now order Powassan Virus and IHC testing services
NYSDOH Grants License
In December of 2020, Coppe Laboratories was granted a license by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to offer Powassan Virus (POWV) and West Nile Virus (WNV) antibody testing as well as Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HHV-6. New York physicians will no longer need to obtain an approved waiver before placing an order for these tests.
Tick-borne coinfections
Ten years ago, Dr. Konstance Knox, founder of Coppe Laboratories, initiated a series of experiments to examine Wisconsin ticks for disease causing microbes for the purpose of answering the question, “Could there be another infectious agent that is insensitive to antibiotics that could mimic the symptoms attributed to infection with the Lyme disease bacteria B. burgdorferi? The study demonstrated that Powassan/Deer Tick virus (POWV) was found in a significant percentage of the ticks that were collected. In addition, it was concluded that an individual could acquire multiple tick-associated microorganisms simultaneously from a single bite.
Since 2016, Coppe Laboratories has been the only commercial laboratory offering Powassan Virus serological testing. As the incidence of tick-borne illness and Powassan virus infection increases in the Midwest and North Atlantic region of the country, physicians can now screen all patients suspected of acute or chronic tick-borne illness for Powassan Virus infection. Results are reported within ten business days.
HHV-6 in Transplant and Infertility
Coppe Laboratories has long held a leadership role in research and testing for Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), a virus which most of the population acquires in early childhood and which causes Roseola. While usually in a latent state, this virus can reactivate at any time, causing serious complications for transplant and immune suppressed patients. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) of tissues to identify active HHV-6 infection can help guide decisions on whether powerful antiviral treatments, with oftentimes harsh side effects, should be used to treat patients.
A 2016 PLOS study demonstrated that active HHV-6 infection in endometrial tissues may provide answers to unexplained infertility. Coppe Laboratories’ HHV-6 IHC testing has proven to be a highly sensitive and specific method for determining active HHV-6 in tissue biopsy samples. Further clinical studies are needed to determine the role that HHV-6 plays in infertility.
Coppe Laboratories is a trusted provider serving academic medical centers, Children’s hospitals, and integrative healthcare providers throughout the nation.