| Pre-Approval |
None |
| Supplemental Information Requested |
Requested: Travel history, symptoms, exposures (including animals, arthropods, etc), disease onset, clinical summary (e.g. antibiotic therapy and dates)
|
| 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 PCR (LDT)(Surveillance use only)
|
| 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): SST may be transported after centrifugation.
- Plasma: 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 (lavender top) tubes
|
Minimum Volume Requested
|
-
Serum: 1 mL
-
Whole Blood: 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
|
- 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.
- Whole Blood: Refrigerate, do not freeze.
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 – 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
|
Additional Information
|
Specimens should be collected as close to illness onset as possible.
|
VRDL Points of Contact
|
Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov
|