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Measles (Rubeola), RT-qPCR

$260 | CPT Code: 87798 | Molecular lab

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires immediate reporting of all suspected cases of measles by physicians, health care providers, and laboratories, whether or not supporting laboratory data are available. Call 303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 (after hours) to report suspect or confirmed measles cases and determine recommended testing.

Methodology

  • Quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)

Acceptable specimen(s)

Contact CDPHE’s Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) unit at 303-692-2700 to arrange testing at the State Lab. Detection of measles by PCR is most successful when samples are collected 1-3 days following onset of rash.

Swabs

  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, oropharyngeal (throat) swabs, or buccal swabs must be transported in 1-3 mL of viral transport media (VTM). Only use synthetic swabs.

Nasal wash

  • Transport nasopharyngeal aspirates (nasal wash) in saline.

Urine

  • A minimum of 50 mL of the initial urine stream should be collected in a sterile container.

Refrigerate swab, nasal wash, and urine samples after collection. 

Specimen labeling

A minimum of two of the following are required on the specimen label:

  • Patient first and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Medical record number (MRN) or patient identification (ID)

The following information is optional, but highly preferred:

  • Collection date
  • The chain of custody number, if ordered through LabOnline

 The lab will not process samples without appropriate identifiers on the label. Be sure the information on the label matches what is listed on the test order.

Specimen stability

Swabs, nasal wash, and urine
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours
Frozen (≤ -20°C): indefinitely

Turnaround time

  • Three (3) calendar days.
  • Results will be available in LabOnline.

Rejection criteria

  • Incomplete or missing test order, incomplete specimen labeling, specimen collected in expired collection kits, quantity not sufficient for analysis, gross contamination, received out of hold time, received out of temperature

Ordering in LabOnline

  • Profile: Clinical PCR testing, Molecular
  • Testing type: Measles PCR (Rubeola)
  • Matrix: Buccal swab, cerebrospinal fluid, nasal wash, nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, throat swab, tissue blocks, urine
     

Supplemental information

Measles can also be detected by IgM serology testing.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires immediate reporting of all suspected cases of measles by physicians, health care providers, and laboratories, whether or not supporting laboratory data are available. Call 303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 (after hours) to report suspect or confirmed measles cases and determine recommended testing.

Contact information