Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
rubella IGM
BPHL validated a qualitative panel to test the level of antibodies for rubella utilizing an ELISA assay.
Analyte(s)
Rubella virus
Test Code
1720
Testing Location
Testing Department
Virology
Pre-approval Required?
Yes. Requires prior approval from regional epidemiology and notification to the testing lab. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.
Required Forms
BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
Include all required fields, who authorized the testing, onset date, collection date, travel history, and symptoms.
Turn around Time
1-5 business days after receipt at the laboratory.
Minimum Volume
1 mL of serum
Unsatisfactory specimen
1. Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
2. Specimen was not labeled with at least 2 unique patient identifiers
3. Information on specimen does not match requisition/test order
4. Specimen leaked in transit
5. Specimen was received out of the acceptable temperature range
Collection Media
Serum: red or tiger top serum separator (SST) or red top vacutainer
Specimen Sources
Acute serum
Specimen Labeling
Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB, and the date of collection.
Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order.
Special SPecimen Preparation
Collect specimen 3-5 days, post onset
Storage Conditions
Store specimens at 2-8° C or frozen at less than or equal to -20° C until shipment. Ship within 4 days of collection.
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens must be shipped overnight at 2-8° C or frozen on dry ice at less than or equal to -20° C. If you store the sample frozen, it must be shipped frozen to avoid a freeze thaw cycle.
You must select “Saturday delivery” on packages shipped on Friday.
Couriered samples must be transported in a cooler with frozen ice packs to arrive at the laboratory between 2-8° C. Laboratory staff will check the temperature of the cooler upon arrival before accepting specimens.
Interferences and Limitations
If a serum collected less than 5 days after onset is negative, a second sample is necessary to confirm/rule out rubella.
Reference Range
No virus detected
Result Indicator
Positive
Negative
Equivocal
Reference lab
CDC, if needed
Reflex testing
None