○ It is recommended that patients suspected of mumps should also have acute and convalescent serology in addition to molecular testing (this applies ONLY for DIAGNOSIS of suspected active infection; only a single specimen is needed for proof of IMMUNITY).
○ Buccal and throat swabs - collect up to 9 days following symptom onset
○ Urine - collect up to 14 days following symptom onset
○ Buccal/throat swab: Swab in universal transport media ○ Urine/CSF: sterile container (min volume 5 mL urine; min volume 1 mL CSF)
Buccal swab: ○ Collect a firm swab of buccal mucosa following massage of parotid gland (30 seconds). Swab back and forth on buccal mucosal surface near the parotid duct (near to upper rear molar). Place swab into transport media.
Throat swab: ○ Vigorously swab tonsillar areas and posterior nasopharynx with swab moistened with normal saline or transport media. Depress tongue to prevent salivary contamination. Place swab into transport media
Urine: Midstream urine (MSU): ○ Clean urethral meatus. Void and discard the first 10 - 20 mL of urine in order to clear the urethra. Collect the subsequent urine into a clean, sterile container.
CSF: ○ Decontaminate skin, collect CSF in sterile container (second or third tube) by lumbar puncture.
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ PCR: Up to 3 days ○ Culture: Up to 18 days
416-586-4800 extension 4561
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.
○ Positive specimens will be referred to the National Microbiology Laboratory for genotyping.