Rubella – PCR

Molecular detection of Rubella virus antibodies
Microbiology
Virology
○ Throat/NP swabs ○ Urine ○ Aborted material, placenta or autopsy material
Other Information
○ Laboratory testing of a suspect case of Rubella should include acute and convalescent serology as well as virus detection. See Rubella - Serology
○ NP, throat swabs or urine collected ASAP after rash onset (withing 5 days). For congenital rubella cases, collect urine, NP or throat swabs within the first few months after birth.
○ Swabs: swab in viral transport medium
○ Urine: sterile container (10mL)
○ Tissue: sterile container (1 gram

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.
Throat swab:
○ Collect the specimen using a clean, sterile swab by swabbing the posterior oropharynx vigorously and placing it in universal transport medium.

Urine
○ Collect urine into a clean, sterile container.

Tissue:
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue aseptically using surgical technique. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline.

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Up to 7 days after receipt by PHOL.
416-586-4800 extension 4624
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) after collection.

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory. PHOL will refer specimens to NML.