Test Order

Arbovirus, RT-PCR, Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV), Oropouche virus (OROV)

Human

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) must be acute (0-7 days post onset date) for OROV RT-PCR. For CTFV RT-PCR, acute serum samples only (0-14 days post onset date) will be acceptable. 

Collect blood in a serum-separator tube and separate the serum from the pelleted red blood cells following the manufacturer’s instructions for the tube used. Aseptically transfer serum to a sterile tube that has an externally threaded cap with an o-ring seal. Promptly refrigerate (2-8°C) or freeze (-20°C or lower) serum specimen.
For CSF, collect each specimen in a clean, dry, leak-proof container and immediately refrigerate (2-8°C) or freeze (-20°C or lower) specimen.
Specimen may be stored at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) for up to 30 days and frozen (-20°C or lower) for up to 90 days post-collection.
If serum or CSF is not shipped to CDC within ≤ 2 weeks of collection, storing and shipping specimen frozen (-20°C or lower) is preferred. Specimen must not exceed 3 freeze/thaw cycles.

Not Applicable

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. All specimens should be submitted to CDC through state health departments and not submitted directly to CDC.

Ship frozen specimens on dry ice. Ship refrigerated specimens with refrigerated or frozen cold packs.

Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Arbovirus Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory
3156 Rampart Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80521
[Insert CDC Point of Contact’s Telephone Number]

All samples must be shipped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.

Reverse transcriptase (RT)-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR)

3 Weeks

RT-PCR testing currently offline for most arboviruses (except OROV and CTFV). Testing is available commercially and/or through Wadsworth Center Virology NYS Department of Health. Please contact CDC for assistance if needed.

For additional information regarding the fields above, please see this link: "http://www.cdc.gov/vector-borne-diseases/php/laboratories/submitting-arboviral-specimens.html"

Turnaround Time: Molecular testing is typically performed once a week but will take longer to have results interpreted and reported to state health department.

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