Mpox Virus Qualitative PCR

Acceptable Sample Types: Swabs in VTM (viral transport media) or UTM (universal transport media) or Aptima Multitest Swab Transport Media or Dry Swabs

• Preferred Specimen Type: Swabs of skin lesion (LESION/PUSTULE/VESICLE/RECTAL/GENITAL) in VTM/UTM
• Alternative Specimen Type: Swab in Aptima Multitest Swab Transport Media; Dry swabs of skin lesion; Rectal and/or genital swabs with VTM/UTM, dry swab, or Aptima Multitest Swab Transport Media; CSF; Urine; Serum/Plasma; Whole blood; Breast Milk

Collection Instructions: Swab the lesion vigorously, to ensure adequate sample is collected. DO NOT UNROOF LESION.

UW Medicine Locations: Place order in Epic for test "Mpox Virus Qualitative PCR" (lab test code MPXQLT).

Outside Locations/Reference Laboratory Clients: Include a completed Virology requisition with the specimen and specify "Monkeypox Virus Qualitative PCR" in the "other requests/comments" area.

Storage and Transport (Reference Laboratory Clients):

• Swabs in UTM/VTM or Dry swab: Ship samples on dry ice. If -10°C or colder freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack). Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 7 days of collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 7 days old may be rejected. Do not freeze/thaw.
• Swab in APTIMA Tube: Store and transport at ambient temperature within 30 days of collection.
• Cerebrospinal fluid: 500µL CSF in a sterile container. Transport CSF on ice, store at 2 to 8°C for up to 7 days post collection. If there is a greater than 7 days delay before testing of the specimen, store specimen at -60 to -85°C. Do not freeze/thaw.
• Serum/Plasma: Separate plasma/serum from whole blood within 24 hours of collection. Freeze at -10°C or colder and ship on dry ice. If freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack). Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 7 days of collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 7 days old may be rejected. Do not freeze/thaw.
• Clear non-cellular fluid: Freeze at -10°C or colder and ship on dry ice. If freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack). Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 7days of collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 7 days old may be rejected. Do not freeze/thaw.
• Breast Milk: Freeze at -10°C or colder and ship on dry ice. If freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack). Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 7days of collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 7 days old may be rejected. Do not freeze/thaw.

Ship Specimens to:

UW Medicine
Deptartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
1959 NE Pacific St., Room NW220
Seattle, WA 98195
Ph: (206) 520-4600 or (800) 713-5198

Additional Information:

Additional information on ordering, collection, and shipment can be found at https://depts.washington.edu/uwviro/order/.

Swabs in UTM/VTM: Store at 2 to 8°C for up to 7 days post collection and transport on ice. If there is a greater than 7 days delay before testing of the specimen, store specimen at -60 to -85°C. Do not freeze/thaw.

Swab in APTIMA tube: Transport under ambient conditions within 30 days.

Cerebrospinal/Body fluids: 500µL CSF/Body Fluid in a sterile container. Transport CSF/Body Fluid on ice, store at 2 to 8°C for up to 7 days post collection. If there is a greater than 7 days delay before testing of the specimen, store specimen at -60°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Serum/Plasma: Harvest Sera/Plasma from whole blood within 24 hours of collection. Sera/Plasma may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 7 days. Freeze at -10°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Send to UW Virology Lab via DLMP courier.