Laboratory Test Guide

Measles PCR to Washington State Lab (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

912

Epic Name

Order as "Lab Undefined Order"

Description

Useful For: This test is used for suspected cases of acute disease.

Ordering Requirements: Lab testing for measles (IgM and PCR) is performed at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory only after the provider has reviewed the case with and received permission from Public Health Seattle-King County (206 296-4774) or other appropriate local public health jurisdiction.

If testing is approved, providers must complete a Washington State Public Health Laboratories test requisition per instructions from public health.

Interpretation

Method

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Nasopharyngeal Swab, Urine

Collection

NP Swab: Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab in Viral Transport Media tube (2-3 mls VTM). Use only synthetic fiber swab (dacron, nylon, polyester) with non-wooden shaft.

Optimal collection is within 72 hours of symptom onset.

Urine: Collect 50 ml urine in sterile screw-capped container.

Collect ≤ 10 days post symptom onset.

Washington State PHL Measles RT-PCR Specimen Collection and Submission Instructions

Forms & Requisitions

WPHL Virology Requisition Form

Quantity

requested: 2-3 mL VTM, 50 ml Urine
minimum: 2 mL VTM, 20 ml Urine

Processing

Refrigerate NP swab/VTM and urine specimens. Refrigerated samples must be received by WPHL within 72 hrs. Store Frozen at ≤ -70°C if sample is being stored for >24 hours.

Login: SEND1-;REFRIG

RSNDT1: WPHL
RSTYP1: NPS [and/or] URN
RTSRQ1: ;Measles by PCR

Sendouts:

Prior to sending, confirm approval with the SKPH Epidemiologist at (206) 296-4774 or WPHL Epidemiologist at (206) 418-5500.
A completed WPHL Virology requisition must accompany samples. Include DLMP CAST fax number for results.
Send samples to WPHL via DLMP or Delivery Express courier.

Stability: Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen (-70°C): Samples >72 hours old; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Performing Location(s)

Sendout	Washington State Public Health Laboratory 206-418-5400 1610 NE 150th St. Shoreline, WA 98155

Frequency

Performed: Within 24 hours of sample arrival. Turnaround Time: 1 day.

Available STAT?

Yes, by arrangement with Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology.