Measles virus PCR

TEST DESCRIPTION

Laboratory-developed test for the detection of measles virus (rubeola) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Measles is a respiratory disease, with the most common symptoms being fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash all over the body.

Methodology

RT-PCR

Reference range

Negative

TEST FREQUENCY & RESULT AVAILABILITY

Performed daily. Results are typically available one business day after specimen receipt.

ACCEPTABLE SPECIMEN TYPES AND COLLECTION

• Preferred: Throat swab in viral transport medium (VTM)
• Nasopharyngeal swab or nasopharyngeal aspirate in VTM
• Urine (minimum of 10 ml) in a sterile container
• Detailed collection instructions appear below

SPECIMEN STORAGE

• Swab specimens: store refrigerated (2°C–8°C/35.6°F–46.4°F) for up to 72 hours. If the specimen is to be held for >72 hours, it should be frozen at −70 °C.
• Urine specimens: store refrigerated (2°C–8°C/35.6°F–46.4°F) for up to 24 hours.

SPECIMEN TRANSPORT

Shipping conditions should follow the temperature and time requirements outlined above.

REJECTION CRITERIA

• Specimen not stored refrigerated or frozen
• Holding time greater than 72 hours for swab specimens and greater than 24 hours for urine specimens
• Specimen container not labeled 
• Specimen container has leaked or is not sealed properly 

CODES

CPT: 87798
LOINC: 48508-6
Test code: 6180

TEST FEE

Refer to the current fee schedule.

DETAILED SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Throat (oropharynx) swab
   1. Vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile synthetic swab. Place swab in VTM.
2. Nasopharyngeal swab
   1. Firmly rub the nasopharyngeal passage with a sterile synthetic swab to dislodge epithelial cells. Place swab in VTM. 
3. Nasopharyngeal aspirate
   1. Use a syringe attached to a small, plastic tube and 2-3 ml of VTM. After placing the VTM in the nose, aspirate as much of the material as possible and rinse the tube with 2 ml of VTM.
4. Urine
   1. Collect a first morning voided specimen during the first week after rash onset, although any urine specimen collected up to 10 days after rash onset will be accepted. Collect 10-50 ml urine (higher volume preferred) in a sterile container. Urine specimens should be shipped and processed within 24 hours of collection.