Test Detail

Measles Virus PCR

Reflex Test(s)
Test Description		Contact: Molecular Biology and Virology (319) 335-4376 Test Request Form: Iowa HHS Epidemiological Investigation Test Request Form. Contact Iowa HHS CADE at (515) 242-5935 (business hours) or (515) 323-4360 (non-business hours) for form. SHL OpenELIS Code: 1316
Detection of Measles Virus RNA by Real-Time PCR. PCR testing can identify infection earlier than IgM serology.
If patient was recently vaccinated, then specimens with a Detected result can be reflexed to the "Measles Vaccine, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)" test to determine if they are wild type or vaccine strain. This reflex test can only be orderable by Iowa Health and Human Services epidemiological staff.
Performed	Avg. Turnaround Time	Method
Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F	1 - 2 business days	Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Fee	CPT Code(s)
No charge. Prior approval by an Iowa Health and Human Services epidemiologist must be obtained.	87798
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type:	Iowa HHS requests two samples from each patient be submitted. Iowa HHS recommends that a urine sample be one of the two samples if feasible; urine AND a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab OR an oropharyngeal (OP) swab. If a urine sample cannot be collected, then Iowa HHS recommends a NP swab AND an OP swab be submitted.
Collection Instructions:	Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab: A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab placed into M4, RTM4, UTM or VTM. Insert swab through the nostril into the nasopharynx until tip reaches the posterior nasopharynx (a distance equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient). Leave the swab in place for 10 - 30 seconds. Slowly remove with a rotating motion. Place swab in M4, RTM4, UTM or VTM. Ship all specimens cold (4-8 degrees Celsius). Oropharyngeal (Throat) swab: Swab tonsillar areas and posterior nasopharynx. Use tongue blade to depress tongue to prevent contamination of swab with saliva. Place swab into 2-3 ml of M4, RTM4, UTM or VTM. Ship all specimens cold (4-8 degrees Celsius). Urine specimen: Collect 10-40 ml of urine in a sterile urine specimen container. Have patient void directly into container, collecting from the first part of the urine stream if possible. First-morning voided specimens are ideal, but any urine collection is adequate. Ship all specimens cold (4-8 degrees Celsius).
Shipping:
Send swab samples in M4, RTM4, UTM or VTM and ship all specimens cold (4-8 degrees Celsius) via STAT Courier to SHL (Category B). Ship to the Coralville location.
Temperature and Stability:	Refrigerated (2-8°C); stable overnight.
Rejection Criteria:	Specimens will be rejected if received under these conditions: Wood-tipped applicators, Cotton-tipped swabs, Calcium-alginate tipped swabs, Charcoal swabs, Gel swabs.
Expected Results:
Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate
Comments
Before collecting or submitting specimens, provider must contact the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) at 800-362-2736.
Alternate Names
Measles RT-PCR