○ Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab
○ Nasopharyngeal aspirate
○ Throat swab
○ Urine
○ CSF(only if encephalitis is suspected)
Other Information
○ Collect NP swab, aspirate or throat swab within 7 days of rash onset, urine within 14 days of rash onset ○ Collect in symptomatic individuals and post-exposure situations ○ Positive PCR specimens are sent to NML for genotyping. See Measles – genotyping.
○ Nasopharyngeal/throat swab: single swab in viral transport medium ○ Nasopharyngeal aspirate: sterile container ○ Urine: sterile container (50mL) ○ CSF: sterile container (1mL)
Nasopharyngeal swab ○ Insert tip of swab into nostril aiming along the floor of nasal cavity until posterior wall of nasopharynx is reached. Resistance will be felt when reached. Rotate swab for 10-30s. Place swab into transport medium and close tube. Repeat collection with second nostril. Nasal aspirates: ○ Connect mucus trap to suction pump and catheter. Insert end of catheter through external nares to posterior pharynx. Apply suction, slowly withdraw catheter so it is only in nasopharynx for 10s. Flush material out of catheter with small volume of sterile saline (1-1.5 mL). Throat swab: ○ Collect the specimen using a clean, sterile swab by swabbing the posterior oropharynx vigorously and placing it in viral transport medium.
Urine: ○ Collect urine into a clean, sterile container. Transport to the microbiology laboratory ASAP.
CSF: ○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 1 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture.
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Up to 3 days upon receipt by PHO laboratory for PCR, up to 25 days for culture.
416-586-4800 extension 4554
NO
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Specimens should be stored and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) immediately after collection.
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing.