Mpox (Non-variola Orthopoxvirus)

Methodology

RT-PCR

CPT Code

87798

Test Requisition

Contact laboratory staff for access and assistance at (707) 565-4711 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

Order via the SCPHL web portal https://socolabportal.sonomacounty.ca.gov/

Acceptable Specimens – (Please contact the laboratory for assistance)

Guidelines for Collecting and Handling Specimens for Mpox Testing

Swab or brush lesion(s) vigorously with two separate sterile dry Use sterile synthetic swabs (including, but not limited to, nylon, polyester, or Dacron) with a plastic, wood, or aluminum shaft. Do not use other types of swabs.
Place each swab in its own separate sterile container. Do NOT add any, or store in, viral or universal transport media, or any other liquid.
Each specimen must be labeled with the patient’s first and last names, patient’s date of birth, specimen date of collection, and specimen type.

Results

Specimens that test positive for orthopoxvirus nucleic acid are considered positive for an orthopox, and additional specimen(s) may be referred to the CDC or State laboratory for confirmatory testing, as warranted.

Specimen Storage

Store and maintain all specimens at 4°C if delivering to lab within 72 hours; store at or below -20°C if delivery will be delayed.

Specimen Transport

Specimens should be sent cold using a same-day or overnight courier.

Send to:

Sonoma County Public Health Laboratory
3313 Chanate Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 565-4711 (phone)
(707) 565-7839 (FAX)

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Leaking specimens
QNS (insufficient amount of specimen)
Cotton or calcium alginate swabs
Swabs in Amies medium, or any other liquid or gel medium for bacterial culture
Inadequately labeled specimens

*Swabs in viral transport media (VTM) or universal transport media (UTM): if specimens meet CDC and/or State reference laboratory criteria, we may forward the specimen for testing.

Setup Days

Testing is performed on an as-needed basis. Contact the REDCOM Dispatcher for after-hours assistance at (707) 568-5992.

Turn-around-time

Results will be available within 1 day of receiving the specimen.