Test Order

PRN test, Plaque-reduction neutralization

Human

Paired serum specimens: acute-phase serum sample (collected as soon as possible upon suspicion of mumps disease) and a second serum sample (collected 5-10 days after symptom onset). The following conditions may result in the specimen being rejected for testing:
• Specimen is hemolyzed, lipemic, or bacterially contaminated.
• Specimen is not frozen (-20°C or lower) upon receipt at CDC.

Blood for serologic testing should be collected by aseptic venipuncture. Do not add anticoagulants or preservatives. Collect blood in a red-top or serum-separator tube (SST). Tubes containing whole blood should not be stored frozen (-20°C or lower). Centrifuge blood collection tubes (10 minutes at 1000 – 1300 g) to separate serum from clot. Gel separation tubes should be centrifuged no more than 2 hours after collection. Aseptically transfer serum to a sterile tube that has an externally threaded cap with an o–ring seal.

Refrigerate serum (2-8°C) within 8 hours of collection. Serum samples should not be stored at room temperature (15-25°C) for longer than 8 hours after collection. If the samples will be stored for more than 48 hours, freeze specimens (-20°C or lower). All samples submitted for serology testing should be frozen (-20°C or lower) and shipped on dry ice.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles which may cause loss of antibody activity and give erroneous results.

Not applicable

Research or surveillance specimens may be labeled according to protocol. Labels should not include personally identifiable information. The results reported should NOT be used for diagnosis, treatment, assessment of health or management of the individual patient.

CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday – Friday. Freeze serum specimens and ship to CDC frozen on dry ice overnight. Specimens should be shipped in proper secondary containment to prevent exposures due to leaks in primary tubes.

Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 81
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.

Neutralization assay - quantitative serological assay

4 Weeks

1.4