| 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 Formāā (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:
- āāSerum:
- āPlain 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.
- āPlasma: 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. ā
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Minimum Volume Requestedā
|
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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
|
- Separated Serum: refrigerate or freeze separated serum promptly after collection.
- Serum Separator Tubes: Refrigerate, do not freeze.
- Plasma: freeze specimens promptly after collection. Plasma must be separated from EDTA whole blood and frozen within 2 hours of collection. ā
Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.ā
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Shipping Instructions
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āWork 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:
āCDPH VRDL
ATTN:
Specimen Receiving
850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-307-8585
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āTurnaround Time
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ā10 Business Days
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āāLimitations
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āNegative result does not preclude the possibility of infection
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āAdditional Information
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āSpecimens should be collected as close to illness onset as possible and no longer than 7 days after onset unless timing of onset is unclear or the sample previously tested positive for dengue by PCR and typing requested.
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āVRDL Points of Contact
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āMedical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.govā
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