| Pre-Approval |
None |
| Supplemental Information Requested |
Requested: Travel history, disease onset date, collection date, previous arbovirus test results |
| Submittal Form |
Specimens must be accompanied with a hard copy of the completed
VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal Form (PDF) or a form generated in the
VRDL Lab Web Portal. |
| Methodology (Commercial Test Name or Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)) |
Real-time RT-PCR (LDT) (Diagnostic) which distinguishes dengue type (type 1, 2, 3, or 4) |
| Reflex Testing |
None |
| Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method |
Human specimens:
- Serum:
- Plain Red-Top Tubes: Serum collected in plain, red-top tubes must be separated and transferred to sterile, screw-cap tubes for storage and transport.
- Serum Separator Tubes (SST in red/gray top): SST may be transported after centrifugation.
- Plasma (Surveillance Use Only): Plasma must be separated from EDTA (lavender top) whole blood within 2 hours of collection and transferred to sterile, screw-cap tubes for storage and transport.
- Whole Blood EDTA (Surveillance Use Only): 1 mL
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Minimum Volume Requested
|
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| Transport Medium (if using) |
Not Applicable |
| Specimen Labeling |
Each specimen tube must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., patient full name and date of birth. |
Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions
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Storage & Preservation of Specimens:
Diagnostic Specimens:
- Serum:
- Keep serum refrigerated (> 0°C to < 8°C) if sample arrives at CDPH within 30 days of collection to shipping.
- If specimens cannot be sent within 30 days of collection, freeze at -30°C to 0oC; specimens can be stored for up to 6 months from date of collection to shipping.
- If frozen at ≤ -70°C: specimens can be stored for up to 3 years from date of collection to shipping.
Non-Diagnostic Surveillance Specimens: - Plasma:
- Keep plasma frozen at -20°C • If frozen at -70°C: specimens may be stored for up to 3 years from date of collection to shipping.
- Whole Blood EDTA:
- If refrigerated at > 0°C to ≤ 8°C, specimens may be stored for up to 14 days from collection to shipping.
- Frozen at ≤ 0°C: Do not freeze; freezing is not acceptable.
Shipping Conditions:
- Serum: < 8°C Shipping serum specimens frozen is strongly recommended.
- Plasma: -20°C
- Whole Blood EDTA: > 0°C to < 8°C
Frozen specimens should be sent with dry ice. Refrigerated specimens should be sent with frozen cold packs. Specimens should be received within 30 days of collection. Specimens received outside of acceptable temperature ranges and/or collection dates as noted above will be tested for public health surveillance purposes only; no diagnostic result will be issued.
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Shipping Instructions
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Work with your local public health department to ensure samples are packaged according to instructions for Biological Substance – 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
If specimens will be delivered between 12 – 1 pm, after 5 pm, or on weekends, instruct the carrier to place specimens in the specimen delivery refrigerator.
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Turnaround Time
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10 Business Days
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Limitations
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Negative result does not preclude the possibility of infection
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Additional Information
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Collect serum or plasma as soon as dengue is suspected. Detection of dengue virus RNA is most successful when samples are collected within 7 days of symptom onset but may be detectable for up to 21 days.
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VRDL Points of Contact
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Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov
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