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Test Code LAB9702 Mumps Virus PCR

Important Note

TESTING MUST BE APPROVED PRIOR TO COLLECTION

Infectious

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Sendout to MO State Publich Health Lab

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Buccal swab

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube 

Preferred:  Swab in viral transport media (UTM).
Acceptable: 
Collection Volume: 

  1. Obtain a vial of universal/viral transport medium (UTM) with collection swab from Pyxis or supplied by St. Louis Children's Hospital Lab (call lab at 314-454-6130 or 314-454-4268 to obtain).
  2. Collect fluid by swabbing the buccal cavity (the space between the cheek and the teeth) as below.
  3. Massage the parotid gland area just in front of the ear and near the angle of the jaw for 30 seconds prior to collecting the secretions on the swab.
  4. Swab the buccal cavity (area between the cheek and gum) by sweeping the swab near the upper molar to the lower molar area.
  5. Place the swab in UTM vial, break off shaft of swab and discard excess piece of shaft. To prevent leaking, make sure the swabs do not interfere with tightening cap on vial.
  6. Label transport container with the PPID order label or patient's addressograph label with date and time of collection.
  7. Tightly cap the tube, place in a transport bag, and seal.

Special Instructions: Test must be approved prior to collection. For approval call St. Louis area Epidemiologist @ 314-877-2832. Once approved, a State lab requisition must accompany specimen when sent to lab.

Note: Specimen should be collected as close to symptom onset as possible, preferably within 1-3 days of onset of parotitis.

Sample Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Logistics

Test Availability: Daily
Cut-off time: None

Days set up by performing lab: Varies
Turnaround Time: Varies

Reference Values

Reference Interval:

Not detected

(Mumps virus RNA will be reported as not detected, detected, or indeterminate and a scanned report provided)

Critical Value: None established

Methodology

Tissue Isolation & Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Limitations

NA

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: DO NOT PROCESS. Give specimen directly to sendout bench.
Transport Temperature: Refrigerated (put specimen in CR refrigerator for pick-up by the MSPHL courier)
Analyte Stability: 

Ambient: NA

Refrigerated: 24 hrs 

Frozen: NA

Note: Specimen must have been approved prior to collection and sent with a state requisition for testing.
If specimen will not be picked up within 24 hours of collection it should be frozen at -70°C and packaged with dry ice for courier the next pick up day.

Test Classification and CPT Code

Not billed

LOINC

NA

Last Reviewed

08/2025