Chikungunya virus
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
Chikungunya virus
Chikungunya Virus Infection (Chikungunya)
Testing performed at CDC
PCR: Reverse transcriptase (RT)-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); real-time (rRT-PCR).
Serology: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoglobulin (Ig) M, Microsphere immunoassay (MIA) IgM.
PREAUTHORIZATION by RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.
All specimens must be submitted to the CDC through State Health Departments and not submitted directly to CDC.
All specimens should be acute (0-7 days post onset date).
Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are acceptable for PCR and serology testing.
Serum: collect blood in a serum separator tube, spin, pour off serum and submit >=2.0 mL in a sterile screw-capped plastic tube.
CSF: collect each specimen in a clean, dry, leak-proof container
Immediately store specimens at 2° - 8°C.
If specimen cannot be transported to RISHL within 24 hours, then the specimen should be frozen at or below -20°C.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
CDC 50.34 Form is required for testing
Chikungunya PCR
Chikungunya Serology
Transport specimens as soon as possible. Must be received within 4 days of collection.
Contact the RISHL STI & Arbovirus Lab (401) 222-5591 prior to transport.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- Expired / Incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents <14
- Specimen too old
Negative for Chikungunya virus by PCR
Negative for IgM to Chikungunya virus
Providers must report patient information on Chikungunya Virus Infection immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
PCR = CDC 2 weeks
Molecular testing is typically performed once a week but will take longer to have results interpreted and reported to state health departments
Serology = 4 weeks
Turnaround time is impacted by whether the specimen tests positive for immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies, as all IgM positive specimens will have plaque reduction neutralization tests performed.