Key points
- Find guidelines for collecting, storing and shipping specimens for non-polio enterovirus testing; check back for updates to specimen types.
- CDC will use real-time PCR for generic testing and nested PCR for typing.
- Submissions to CDC for diagnostic testing require pre-approval.
Submitting specimens to CDC
- Before submitting to CDC: You must request pre-approval for ALL submission to CDC for diagnostic testing. This is because specimen submission requirements for CLIA diagnostic testing are currently being updated.
- Please contact PicornaLab@cdc.gov for testing non-AFM specimens.
- Please contact AFMLab@cdc.gov before submitting any AFM specimens.
- Please contact PicornaLab@cdc.gov for testing non-AFM specimens.
- Specimen submission form: Complete CDC specimen submission form (CDC Form 50.34).
- Shipping: See contact information below table.
For EV-D68 testing, contact health department first
Please contact your health department for enterovirus diagnostic testing and molecular typing before sending specimens. Some state laboratories may have EV-D68 RT-PCR or EV molecular typing capacity. Others may suggest submission to CDC.
Specimens to collect
Refer to this table when you collect, store, and ship specimens for non-polio enterovirus testing. Please check back periodically for updates to acceptable specimen types.
| Specimen Type | Minimum Amount | Collection | Storage | Shipping | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory – NP/OP swab | 0.5 mL, 1 mL preferred | Store in viral transport medium | Freeze at ≤-20°C | Ship on dry ice | Collect within 0-7 days of symptom onset (earlier the better) |
| Stool | 1 gram, 10 – 20 grams preferred | Collect in sterile container, no special medium required | Freeze at ≤-20°C | Ship on dry ice | Virus present for longer than other specimen types |
| Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | 0.15 mL, 0.5-2 mL preferred | Collect in sterile container, no special medium required. | Freeze at ≤-20°C | Ship on dry ice | Collect within 0-4 days of symptom onset (earlier the better) |
| Serum | 0.5 mL, 1 mL preferred | Collect in sterile container with no anticoagulants. | Freeze at ≤-20°C | Ship on dry ice | Collect early in infection from younger patients; no serology will be done |