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Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever PCR

Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance

Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Lab

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538

Analyte Name

Ebola virus

Disease

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (Ebola)

Test Description

CDC Ebola Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Assays performed at the RI State Health Laboratories (or other CDC designated laboratory)

Note: Testing performed for Ebola virus Zaire only

RISHL does not perform testing for Ebola virus Sudan

Special Instructions

PRE-APPROVAL FOR TESTING IS MANDATORY. Physician must consult with RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at (401) 222-2577 immediately if Ebola virus infection is suspected.

For additional information refer to CDC guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

CDC Specimen Collection Guidance is located at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-specimen-collection-submission-patients-suspected-infection-ebola.html

Specimen

Adult: Collect two 4.0 mL tubes of whole blood in plastic tube with EDTA.

Pediatric: Collect minimum of 1.0 mL whole blood in pediatric-sized plastic collection tube with EDTA.

Transport whole blood specimens to RISHL on cold packs at  2°-8°C (not frozen)

REJECTED: Specimen collected in glass tube

Additional specimen types such as serum, plasma, or urine, may be accepted at CDC with prior approval

CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition

Form Required

Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) Test Requisition Form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf

Test Request

Biothreat Agent rule-out

Write in "Ebola" under Comments/Other test requests

Transport

After collection, specimens are to be transported to your hospital's laboratory in accordance with CDC Collection Guidance http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-specimen-collection-submission-patients-suspected-infection-ebola.html where they will be appropriately packaged in accordance with current federal regulations as Category A Infectious Substances and transported to the RI State Health Laboratories.

Integrity

SPECIMEN COLLECTED IN GLASS TUBE WILL BE REJECTED

Normal Value

Specimen negative for Ebola virus RNA

Reporting Requirement

Providers must report patient information on Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.

Turnaround Time

Approximately 4 hours from specimen receipt at State Laboratories