MERS PCR to Washington State Lab

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General Information

Lab Name
Lab Code
594
Description

NOTE: Prior to sample submission, ordering providers must obtain approval from the Seattle King Co. Public Health Epidemiologist by contacting (206) 296-4774.

Outside Laboratories: Providers must obtain approval from the local county public health jurisdiction prior to submitting a sample for testing.

A completed Washington State Lab requisition should accompany orders for this test.

Test Requisition_Washington Sate Lab

Test Information_Washington State Lab

Synonyms
MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

Interpretation

Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type
Blood, Nasopharyngeal, Nasal swab, Oropharyngeal swab, BAL, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate, Pleural Fluid, Stool
Collection

Submit Blood, Respiratory, and Stool samples.

Collect 3 mLs blood in RED TOP or GOLD SST (preferred)

Also Acceptable: LAVENDER TOP, GREEN TOP, or LIME GREEN PST Tubes.

and

Collect Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal swabs submitted in single viral transport media tube. (Use only synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts) or 2-3 mL BAL, sputum, tracheal aspirate, or pleural fluid in sterile leak-proof container. (Calcium alginate swabs or wooden shafted swabs are unacceptable)

and

Collect 2-5 grams of stool specimen (formed or liquid) in in sterile leak-proof container.

Handling Instructions
Quantity
requested: 1 ml serum/plasma

Processing

Processing

Refrigerate serum/plasma, respiratory, and stool specimens. If samples to be stored >72 hours, store Frozen at -70. Be sure the lid on the specimen containers are secure. Place parafilm around the lid to prevent leakage.

SPS Note: At order entry, include the modifier comment "Possible MERS" for all other Virology tests being requested along with MERS.

Login: SPMSND-;REFRIG, POSSIBLE MERS

  • MSNDTO: WPHL
  • MSPTYP: [varies] Serum, Plasma, NP swab, OP swab, BAL, Sputum, Pleural Fluid, Tracheal Aspirate, Stool
  • MTSTRQ: ;MERS Coronavirus by PCR

Sendouts: Before sending, verify order with the WPHL Epidemiologist at (206) 418-5500 or the SKPH Epidemiologist at (206) 296-4774. A completed Serology/Virology/HIV state lab requisition should accompany the submission.

Outside Laboratories: Obtain permission from the local county public health epidemiologist prior to submitting a sample. Write the provider's full contact information, the patient's county, and the name of the epidemiologist approving the request on the WA State requisition.

Stability: Refrigerated: 72 hrs

Performance

LIS Dept Code
Performing Location(s)
Sendout Washington State Public Health Laboratory
206-418-5400

1610 NE 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155

Frequency
Available STAT?

Billing & Coding

CPT codes
LOINC