| Pre-Approval | None |
Supplemental Information Requested
| Requested: Travel history, disease onset date, IgM test result for St. Louis encephalitis virus if performed
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| 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)) | EIA: IgM (Commercial Test)(Diagnostic)
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| Reflex Testing | Flavivirus Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test
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| 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.
- CSF: sterile collection tubes
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| Minimum Volume Requested | |
| 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.
- CSF: freeze or refrigerate specimens after collection.
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 | When available, CSF as well as serum should be submitted. A negative result does not rule out infection since antibody levels in CSF may be lower than in serum and thus may be below assay detection limits.
Positive result does not confirm infection, supplemental testing is required.
Flavivirus antibodies are often cross-reactive.
Laboratory results with clinical and environmental correlation must be used together with current case definitions to confirm or rule out cases.
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| Additional Information |
A convalescent specimen is recommended to help determine recency of infection. When submitted separately, be sure to identify the previously submitted specimen by the VRDL accession number so that the acute and convalescent specimens may be linked, tested to endpoint and interpreted as a pair.
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| VRDL Points of Contact | Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov
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