If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case with UCSF Infection prevention and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
NP or throat swab in Universal Transport Medium (throat swab preferred)
Urine
Nasal swab could also be collected in Universal Transport Medium though is not a preferred collection site.
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case with UCSF Infection prevention and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
NP or throat swab in Universal Transport Medium (throat swab preferred)
Urine
Nasal swab could also be collected in Universal Transport Medium though is not a preferred collection site.
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
| Ordering |
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case with UCSF Infection prevention and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
| Collection |
NP or throat swab in Universal Transport Medium (throat swab preferred)
Urine
Nasal swab could also be collected in Universal Transport Medium though is not a preferred collection site.
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
| Processing |
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
| Result Interpretation |
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
| Administrative |
| Complete View |
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case with UCSF Infection prevention and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
NP or throat swab in Universal Transport Medium (throat swab preferred)
Urine
Nasal swab could also be collected in Universal Transport Medium though is not a preferred collection site.
Urine AND either a nasopharyngeal (NP) or throat swab for PCR should be collected. Collect NP or throat swab for PCR within 9 days after rash onset. Collect urine for PCR within 10 days after rash onset. Measles can frequently be detected in the urine later in the infection (up to 10 days - sometimes longer) when it can no longer be detected in respiratory samples.
Nasopharyngeal swab: firmly rub posterior nasopharynx with sterile Dacron swab or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab into Universal Transport Medium.
Throat Swab (preferred respiratory specimen): vigorously swab tonsillar areas with sterile Dacron or flocked swab. Swabs must be synthetic with aluminum or plastic shaft. Place swab in Universal Transport Medium.
Urine: Collect 10-50 ml urine in a sterile container. Collect from first part of urine stream; first morning void is ideal.
Refrigerated 24 hours. Freeze specimen upon receipt in the lab.
The PCR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with serologic testing for IgM and thorough assessment of the relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
CDPH Testing Guidance Document (link)
SFDPH Lab Manual (link)
