Dengue virus
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
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
Dengue Virus
Dengue (Dengue Fever)
Testing performed at CDC:
Acute serum collected within 7 days from onset of symptoms is suitable for testing by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
Convalescent serum > 7 days from onset of symptoms is tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgM antibodies.
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.
Acute serum: 0-7 days post onset date
Convalescent serum: > 7 days post onset
Serum: collect blood in red top tube or serum separator tube, spin, pour off serum and submit >=2 mL in a sterile plastic screw-capped tube.
Store serum at 2° - 8°C.
If specimen cannot be transported to RISHL within 24 hours, then the serum 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
CDC Dengue Case Investigation Form
Dengue Serology
Indicate on the test requisition whether the serum is acute or convalescent
Transport specimens as soon as possible.
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.
Negative for Dengue virus by PCR
Negative for IgM antibodies to Dengue virus
Providers must report patient information on Dengue (1,2,3,4) within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Performed at CDC: 10 days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL STI & Arbovirus Laboratory are available in all Serology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.