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 RI State Health Laboratories (RISHL) -preauthorization required
PCR (whole blood): The BioFire Global Fever Special Pathogens Panel (GFSPP) is an FDA-cleared, qualitative, multiplexed, nucleic acid-based PCR assay. For additional information refer to: https://health.ri.gov/laboratory-testing/clinical-specimen-submission-guidance/global-fever-special-pathogens-panel
Note: When testing for mosquito-borne viruses (Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile, Yellow Fever), the GFSPP may not reliably detect the presence of arbovirus RNA once patients are outside the acute phase of infection, namely the first 1 to 7 days after symptoms onset.
Testing performed at CDC -preauthorization required
Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) (serum)
PREAUTHORIZATION by RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required for both GFSPP and PRNT.
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).
Global Fever Panel (PCR: Collect 5 mL whole blood in EDTA tube and promptly store 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.
Testing at CDC:
Serum: collect blood in red top tube or serum separator tube, spin, pour off serum and submit >= 2mL in a sterile plastic screw-capped tube. Store serum at 2° - 8°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 PRNT testing
Global Fever Special Pathogens Panel - prior approval from RIDOH Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology required.
CDC Testing:
Write "Chikungunya PRNT" under Comments/Other Test Requests
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.
Non-Hemolyzed
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
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Specimen too old
Global Fever Panel (PCR): Not detected
Providers must report patient information on Chikungunya Virus Infection immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
GFSPP PCR = 1 day
PRNT = CDC 4 weeks
Note: The PRNT turnaround time listed includes the possibility that the test being ordered is part of a larger testing algorithm.