Pre-Approval
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Not Applicable
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Supplemental Information Requested
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Requested: Travel history, rash onset date, symptoms, measles vaccination history, contacts to known case(s)
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Submittal Form
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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.
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Methodology
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Real-time RT-PCR (Diagnostic Laboratory-Developed Test)
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Reflex Testing
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- Positive specimens may be genotyped.
- Negative specimens may be reflexed to Rubella PCR
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Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method
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Human specimens:
- Throat (preferred) and/or NP swab in liquid viral transport media. Respiratory swabs must be a Dacron or synthetic tip with aluminum or plastic shaft.
Other respiratory specimens, such as oral or nasal swabs and NP aspirates, are acceptable.
- Urine: First catch of the day is ideal, in a sterile, leak-proof container. Processed urine is preferred.
To process urine, centrifuge approximately 10-50 mL at 500-600 x g for 5-10 min at 2-8oC. Discard supernatant and resuspend cell sediment in 2-3 mL of viral transport media.
Collect specimens as soon as measles is suspected. Detection of measles RNA is most successful when samples are collected within the first 14 days after rash onset. If collection has occurred outside this time frame, patients should be symptomatic for measles. Specimens received up to 1 month after collection are acceptable for testing.
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Minimum Volume Requested
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- Respiratory swab: 2–3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium
- Urine, unprocessed: 10–50 mL
- Urine, processed: Pellet resuspended in 2–3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium
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Transport Medium (if using)
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For respiratory swabs and processed urine pellets: 2-3 mL of Universal or Viral Transport Medium
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Specimen Labeling
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Each specimen tube must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., patient full name and date of birth.
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Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions
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Keep specimen refrigerated (2-8°C) if sample will arrive at CDPH within 7 days of collection. If specimens cannot be sent within 7 days of collection, freeze at -20°C or lower. Urine specimens MUST be processed before freezing, DO NOT freeze unprocessed urine. Ship specimens within 1 month after collection.
Shipping specimens frozen is strongly recommended, unless urine is unprocessed. 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 at temperatures above 27°C 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 require priority testing, please write VRDL1 on the outside of the shipping box.
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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2 Business Days
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Limitations
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Negative results do not preclude the possibility of infection
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Additional Information
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Specimens should be collected as soon after rash onset as possible.
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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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