| Pre-Approval |
None |
| Supplemental Information Requested |
Requested: Travel history, symptoms, exposures (including animals, arthropods, etc.), disease onset date, clinical summary, antibiotic therapy (drug name, dates of therapy) |
| Submittal Form |
Specimens must be accompanied with a hard copy of the completed
VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal Formā (PDF) āor a form generated in the
VRDL Lab Web Portal. |
| Methodology (Commercial Test Name or Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)) |
IFA: IgG (Commercial Test)(Diagnostic) |
| Reflex Testing |
None |
| Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method |
Human specimens:
- Plasma: Plasma may be separated from EDTA (lavenderā top) Whole Blood Tubes and transferred to sterile, screw-cap tubes for storage and transport.
|
Minimum Volume Requested
|
- Serum: 1 mL
- Whole Blood in EDTA Whole Blood Tubes: 5 mL
- Plasma: 1 mL
|
| 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 |
-
āSeparated Serum: Refrigerate or freeze separated serum promptly after collection.
-
Serum Separator Tubes: Refrigerate, do not freeze.
-
EDTA Whole Blood Tubes: Refrigerate, do not freeze.
-
Plasma: Refrigerate or freeze separated plasma promptly after collection.ā
Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.
|
| 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 |
10 Business Days |
| Limitations |
Negative result does not preclude the possibility of infection.
Cross reactivity with antibodies to other related bacteria can occur. This is particularly challenging as there may be similarities in antigens among different Rickettsia species or even unrelated bacteria.
Confirmatory testing such as PCR may be necessary for accurate diagnosis, especially in regions where different species coexist.
|
| Additional Information |
None |
| VRDL Points of Contact |
Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons:ā (510) 307-8585 or
VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov ā
|