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Instructions
for Sending Diagnostic Specimens to the DVBID Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory
1. CDC
Submission Form
Complete a CDC
submission form (CDC 50.34), by downloading  CDC Data and Specimen Handling (DASH) section
form 50.34 for submission of laboratory specimens (84 KB), or call DVBID for a copy at 970-221-6400.
NOTE:
Testing will not be initiated without the inclusion of:
- date of onset
of symptoms
- date of
specimen collection
NOTE: If the specimen collection occurs within 8 days after
the onset of symptoms, a convalescent specimen will be requested.
- any pertinent
travel history (3 months prior to the date of symptom
onset)
- the patient's
name (REQUIRED for submitting specimens)
2.
Shipping
For information regarding shipping packages and applicable regulations,
please refer to CDC's
Scientific Resources Program for specific information:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/srp/specimens/specimens.html
3.
Specimen types and amounts
- Acute and convalescent
specimens, if available, should be sent together.
- Ideal timing
of specimens for serology:
| Specimen |
Timing |
| Acute |
3 to 10 days
after onset of symptoms |
| Convalescent |
2-3 weeks after
acute sample |
- At least 0.5
mL of serum and/or 1.0 mL of CSF is required for serology testing. CSF
specimens are routinely tested undiluted and therefore require larger
amounts. Whole blood will not be accepted for serology testing.
- For serology testing,
the specimen should be kept cold or frozen. The sample may be placed
in an insulated container with blue ice packs. Additional blue ice
packs should be used in the summer to ensure specimen integrity in hot
weather.
-
For
virus isolation and/or nucleic acid amplification testing, acceptable
specimens are fresh frozen tissue, serum, or cerebrospinal fluid.
Tissue specimens should be approximately 1 cm³, frozen as soon
as possible at -70ºC, and shipped on enough dry ice so that specimens
remain frozen until received. Formalin-fixed specimens are not tested
at DVBID and can be submitted to the Special Pathogens Laboratory
in Atlanta, GA for immunohistochemistry:
Infectious Disease Pathology Activity
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (MS-G32)
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
4.
Testing Results
Test
results are normally available 4 to 14 days after specimen receipt.
Reporting times for test results may be longer during summer months
when arbovirus activity increases. Receipt of a hard copy of the results
will take at least 2 weeks after testing is completed. Initial serological
testing will be performed using IgM capture ELISA and IgG ELISA. If
the initial results are positive, further confirmatory testing may delay
the reporting of final results. ALL RESULTS WILL BE SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE
STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Notify your state health department of any
submissions to CDC.
5.
Shipping Address
Send
all specimens to:
ATTENTION:
Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory, DRA
CDC/DVBID/ADB
3150
Rampart Road
Fort
Collins, C0 80521
6.
Further assistance
Additional
assistance may be obtained from the DVBID Arbovirus Diagnostic and Reference
Laboratory at 970-221-6445.
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