| Test Description |
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Contact: Molecular Biology and Virology (319) 335-4376
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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.
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SHL OpenELIS Code: 889
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| Detection of Measles Virus RNA by Real-Time PCR. PCR testing can identify infection earlier than IgM serology. |
| Reflex Test(s) |
|---|
| If patient was recently vaccinated, then specimens with a Detected result can be sent to the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory to determine if they are wild type or vaccine strain. The test will be listed as "Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous". |
| Performed |
Avg. Turnaround Time |
Method |
Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F
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1 - 2 business days |
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) |
| Fee |
CPT Code(s) |
| No charge. Prior approval by an Iowa Health and Human Services epidemiologist must be obtained. |
87798 |
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| Submit two specimens: Nasopharyngeal swab OR Oropharyngeal (Throat) swab, and Urine. If it is not possible to collect all three specimens, then prioritize the nasopharyngeal OR oropharyngeal (throat) specimens. |
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).
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| Refrigerated (2-8°C); stable overnight. |
| Wood-tipped applicators, Cotton-tipped swabs, Calcium-alginate tipped swabs, Charcoal swabs, Gel swabs. |
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| Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate |
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| 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. |
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| Before collecting or submitting specimens, provider must contact the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) at 800-362-2736. |
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| Measles RT-PCR |
