Rash Illness Panel

Brief Description

The Pox virus RT-PCR molecular assay is intended for the qualitative detection of Orthopoxvirus DNA in clinical specimens from patients presenting with pustular or vesicular rash illness. The assay detects orthopoxvirus DNA, including variola, vaccinia, cowpox, monkeypox, camelpox, ectromelia, and gerbilpox viruses at varying concentrations. This assay should be utilized for situations where there is a low to medium risk of Variola according to the CDC risk assessment algorithm. It is important that these testing procedures should not be carried out on patient samples with a high suspicion of variola orthopoxvirus. All high-risk specimens are to be forwarded directly to the CDC with coordination with the GPHL. No attempt to culture this virus should be made for these specimens. GPHL epidemiology should be contacted before referral of high-risk specimens.  

Laboratory Unit

Molecular Biology

Methodology

RT-PCR

Specimen Collection

  • Vesicular scab:
    • Place the vesicle skin “roof” in a dry, sterile 1.5-2 ml screw-capped plastic vial with O-ring.
  • Vesicular fluid/lesion swabs:
    • Swab the base of the lesion or ocular site and place swab in a sterile screw capped plastic vial with O-ring

NOTE: Biopsy specimens, Whole blood, EM slides, and Ocular impression smears will be forwarded to the CDC.

Storage/Transport

  • Vesicular scab should be stored frozen (-20°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice within 60 days of collection. Freezing is strongly recommended.
  • Vesicular scab can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than seven days after collection.
  • Vesicular fluid/lesion swabs should be stored frozen (-20°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice within 60 days of collection. Freezing is strongly recommended.
  • Vesicular fluid/lesion swabs can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than seven days after collection.
  • Download this pdf file. FRM-QA 4 Refrigeration Outfit Guide

Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

  • Vesicular scab
  • Vesicular fluid/ lesion swabs

Test Request

Possible Results

  • Detected
  • Not detected
  • Unsatisfactory
  • Inconclusive

Reference Range

Not detected

Unacceptable Conditions

  • Missing testing requisition
  • Missing minimum of 2 patient identifiers
  • Improper labeling
  • Improper storage/transport of specimen
  • No specimen received (empty collection tube).
  • Wrong specimen type
  • Specimen leaked, damaged, or crushed in transit
  • Cotton swabs

Interfering Substances

Ethanol

Result Reported

1-3 business days

Turnaround times may be affected by the scale of the event.

Fees

No charge

LOINC/Order Codes

41853-3 (Order code: BTC05000)