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VIRAL AND RICKETTSIAL DISEASE LABORATORY

 Test Order

Measles Virus (Rubeola) Detection - PCR

ā€‹Information Category
ā€‹Information Detail
Pre-Approval

Not Applicable

ā€‹Supplemental Information Requested
Requestedā€‹: Travel history, rash onset date, symptoms, measles vaccination history, contacts to known case(s)
ā€‹Submittal Form
Specimens must be accompanied with a hard copy of the completed VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal Formā€‹ā€‹ (PDF) or a form generated in the VRDL Lab Web Portal.ā€‹
Methodology 
Real-Time RT-PCR (LDT) (Diagnostic)
Reflex Testing
Genotyping
ā€‹Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method
Human specimens: 
  • Throat (preferred) and/or NP swab in sterile collection tube with liquid viral transport media
  • Urine: Processed urine preferred
Respiratory swabs must be a Dacron or synthetic tip with aluminum or plastic shaft. 

To process urine, centrifuge urine sample (10ā€“50 mL) at 500-600 x g for 5ā€“10 min at 2ā€“8Ā°C.  Discard supernatant and resuspend cell sediment in 2-3 mL of viral transport media.
ā€‹Minimum Volume Requested
  • Respiratory swab: 2ā€“3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium
  • Urine, unprocessed: 10ā€“50 mL  
  • Urine, processed: Pellet resuspended in 2ā€“3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium 
ā€‹Transport Medium (if using)
For respiratory swabs only: 2ā€“3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium 
ā€‹Specimen Labeling
ā€‹Each specimen tube must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., patient full name and date of birth. 
ā€‹Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions
  • Respiratory swabs: freeze or refrigerate specimens promptly after collection.
  • Urine pellets: freeze or refrigerate specimens promptly after collection.
  • Unprocessed urine: refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. Do not freeze unprocessed urine.
Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.
ā€‹Shipping Instructions
Work with your local public health department to ensure samples are packaged according to instructions for Biological Substance ā€“ Category B (UN 3373) shipment.  
Ship specimens and a hard copy of the completed submittal forms to: 

CDPH VRDL  
ATTN: Specimen Receiving 
850 Marina Bay Parkway  
Richmond, CA 94804  
Phone: 510-307-8585 
Turnaround Time
2 Business Days
Limitations
ā€‹Negative results do not preclude the possibility of infection
ā€‹Additional Information
Specimens should be collected as close to rash onset as possible and preferably within 14 days of rash onset. 
ā€‹VRDL Points of Contact

Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.govā€‹ā€‹

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