Pre-Approval
| Consultation is required prior to submitting specimens.
Contact VRDLās Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons at (510) 307-8585 for pre-approval information.
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| Supplemental Information Requested | Requested: - āāāAnimal exposure, disease onset date
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Submittal Formāā
| 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 (Commercial Test Name or Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)) | - Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Assay (LDT) (Diagnostic Assay)
- IFA: IgG and IgM (LDT)(Diagnostic)
- Real-time RT-PCR (LDT) (Surveillance Use Only)
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| Reflex Testing | None
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Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method
| Human Specimens: *The four sample types listed below are required to provide an antemortem rule out of rabies. A rule out cannot be provided if all samples are not submitted: serum, CSF, nuchal (skin) biopsy, and saliva.
- āāSaliva: sterile collection tube
- 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.
- āSerum Separator Tubes (SST): SST may be transported after centrifugation.
- CSF: Collect CSF in sterile, screw-cap tubes
- Nuchal Biopsy: full punch (5-6 millimeters) containing at minimum 10 hair follicles
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Minimum Volume Requestedā
| - Saliva: 1 mL
- Serum: 1 mL
- CSF: 1 mL
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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.ā
Do not submit animal or human specimens for rabies testing in the same box with specimens for other testing with VRDL.ā
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Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions
| - Saliva: Refrigerate or freeze promptly after collection.ā
- āSeparated Serum: Refrigerate or freeze separated serum promptly after collection.
- Serum Separator Tubes: Refrigerate, do not freeze.
- CSF: Refrigerate or freeze CSF promptly after collection.
- Fresh Tissue: Refrigerate or freeze promptly after collection.
Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.
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| 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:
āCDPH VRDL
ATTN: Specimen Receiving 850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804 Phone: 510-307-8585
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| Turnaround Time | 10 Business Days |
| Limitations | Negative result does not preclude the possibility of infection. |
| Additional Information | Samples will be referred to CDC for additional testing.ā
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| VRDL Points of Contact | Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.govā
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