Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- EDTA Whole Blood
- BAL
- BAL
- Nose and Throat Swab
- Throat Swab
- Swab
Turnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Samples are stable at room temperature, althoughrefrigeration may improve sensitivity.
Measles Virus PCR
General Information
Specimens are extracted using the Qiagen MDx or MagNA Pure Compact. The specimen extract is used to set up parallel multiplexed real-time 1-step RT-PCR reactions on the Applied Biosystems 7500 fast.
The protocol includes an internal extraction control reaction of bacteriophage MS2 virus . MS2 virus is spiked into the sample at the inactivation and MDx lysis steps. MS2-specific reagents are multiplexed with the Measles Virus detection mix and used to check the efficiency of extraction. A MS2 -negative result is indicative of sample inhibition or an extraction failure and in these cases the test should be repeated from fresh extract.
Patient Preparation
For general aspects of taking respiratory samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
- BAL should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate. Recovered lavage fluid should be aseptically transferred to a 20ml white top sterile sample container.
Nose and throat swabs for virology / molecular tests
- Use a
green topped
- virology transport medium kit (labelled as Green Top Sigma-VIROCULT swab).
Throat: Ask patient to sit upright facing a strong light, tilt head backwards, open mouth and stick out tongue. Depress tongue with a spatula. Ask patient to say ‘Ah’. Quickly but gently roll the swab over the tonsils and posterior pharynx
Nose: Ask patient to tilt head backwards. Insert swab inside the anterior nares with the tip directed upwards and gently rotate.
- Place the swab(s) in the transport liquid and snap off the swab shaft at the score line so it fits into the sample pot. Close the cap tightly and label with patient information. Label as “nose”, “throat” or “nose and throat”
Notes
Preferred samples types: Nose swab, throat swab, oral fluid and BALs. Bloods can also be tested
Swabs may be sent in viral transport medium (VTM), Chlamydia (red top) transport medium (CTM), or can be sent dry in a sterile container.
Blood samples should be sent in an EDTA tube.