Test Order

Chicken pox, shingles

Human

This test order is currently not accepting any specimens until further notice.

Swabs of skin lesions (papule, macule, or vesicles) in viral transport medium (VTM): 0.5 - 1 mL

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): 0.5 mL, 1 mL preferred

For the collection of scab specimens, unroof the scab and place it directly into a breakage resistant tube. Scabs should be kept dry and stored at room temperature (15-25°C) after collection. Scabs should be shipped to CDC overnight at room temperature (15-25°C) within three weeks of specimen collection.

To collect swabs of skin lesions (papule, macule, or vesicles), use a sterile needle to unroof the top of the skin lesion and use a sterile synthetic swab, e.g. polyester swab, to vigorously swab the base of the lesion, applying enough pressure to collect epithelial cells. Swabs of skin lesions may be placed directly into a storage tube or can be placed in viral transport medium (VTM). Swabs of skin lesions without VTM should be kept dry and stored at room temperature (15-25°C) after collection. Swabs of skin lesions without VTM should be shipped to CDC overnight at room temperature (15-25°C) within three weeks of specimen collection. Refrigerate (2-8°C) swabs of skin lesions in VTM within 1 hour of collection. If swabs of skin lesions in VTM will be stored for longer than 72 hours, they should be frozen (-20°C or lower). Swabs of skin lesions in VTM submitted for testing at CDC should be frozen at -20°C or lower prior to shipping and shipped on dry ice overnight. These specimens can be stored at -20°C or lower for a maximum of 6 weeks prior to shipping.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens should be collected under sterile conditions and stored in a leakproof container. CSF should be stored at -20°C or lower after collection, but if needed, specimens can be stored at 2-8°C for no more than 72 hours. CSF specimens submitted for testing at CDC should be frozen at -20°C or lower prior to shipping and shipped on dry ice overnight. CSF can be stored at -20°C or lower for a maximum of 6 weeks prior to shipping.

Swabs of skin lesions (papule, macule, or vesicles) can be placed in viral transport medium (VTM).

Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires two primary patient identifiers (e.g., patient first and last name, date of birth, unique patient identifier from time of collection, such as medical record number) on the specimen container and on the test requisition.

CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday – Friday. Scabs and swabs of skin lesions without viral transport medium (VTM) should be shipped overnight at room temperature with room-temperature cold packs. Swabs of skin lesions in VTM and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens should be shipped frozen on dry ice overnight.

Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 80
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
[Insert CDC Point of Contact’s Telephone Number]

All samples must be shipped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. Upon shipment, submitter should send an email to the CDC POC providing shipping company, shipped date and package tracking number.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

7 Days

None

3.6