Rickettsia PCR

• PRIOR CONSULTATION REQUIRED.
• REQUESTED THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH EPIDEMIOLOGY ONLY (VBD.HEALTH@TN.GOV) OR 615-262-6356

• TDH DLS Requisition:  PH-4182 Clinicial Submission Form AND
• Travel history (domestic or international) to areas where RMSF is endemic must be documented on the requisition

Patient Preparation

• Submit specimens prior to treatment within 14 days of illness onset or within 48 hours of initial treatment.

• At least 1 mL of venous, whole blood preserved with EDTA or Acid Citrate Dextrose Solution A   (ACD-A)

• Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying PH-4182 Clinical Submission Form.

• None

• Store specimens at 2 - 8°C prior to shipping.

• Ship specimes at 2 - 8°C within 48 hrs of collection.
• All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 

• Unsatisfactory specimens include, but may not be limited to:

-  The specimen was broken or leaked in transit

-  No specimen was in the container submitted

-  Improper specimen type submitted

-  Specimens received at improper temperature

• Specimens received without documentation of consultation and travel history will not be tested.

• Nashville