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Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
VRDL Test Page – Zika Virus PCR

Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory

Test Order
Zika Virus Detection - PCR

Information Category	Information Detail
Pre-Approval	None
Supplemental Information Requested	Requested: Travel history Disease onset date Pregnancy status, including gestational age or estimated date of delivery Date of last unprotected sexual contact in cases of suspected sexual transmission Name and date of birth (or CalREDIE ID) of mother and infant in cases of suspected congenital transmission Symptoms and fetal ultrasound findings if available
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))	Altona Diagnostics Real Star Zika Virus Real-time RT-PCR Assay (Diagnostic)
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. Whole blood (Surveillance use only): EDTA (lavender top) tubes Urine: Sterile collection tubes; urine must be submitted with an accompanying serum sample.
Minimum Volume Requested	Serum: 1 mL Whole blood in EDTA whole blood tubes: 5 mL Urine: 5 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. Whole blood (Surveillance use only): Refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. Do not freeze whole blood. Urine: For processed urine pellet, freeze or refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. For unprocessed urine, refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. Do not freeze unprocessed urine. 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	Patients for whom testing is requested should be evaluated in accordance with CDPH guidance available at the CDPH Zika Information For Health Professionals webpage. Specimens should be collected as close to onset as possible.
VRDL Points of Contact	Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov

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