Public Health Division

Lab Test Menu Details

Measles (Rubeola), Real-Time RT-PCR
Updated	2/19/2025
Search Terms	Measles RNA
How to Order	On the Virology/Immunology Test Request Form (OHA0042), in the "Molecular" section, check the "MOL MEV: Measles RT-PCR" box.
Availability	Providers caring for patients with suspected measles infection. All suspect measles cases and specimens submitted for testing must be coordinated with and approved by an Oregon State Acute and Communicable Disease Epidemiologist at 971-673-1111.
Performed	As needed
Time to Reporting	Within 3 working days after receipt of specimen. If approval to test is not on file at time of specimen receipt, time to reporting begins when verification of approval to test is obtained.
CPT Code	87798

Specimen Collection Details
Collection	Collect specimens as soon as possible after illness onset, ideally within 3 days but no later than 10 days after illness onset. Swab specimens are strongly preferred. Use a synthetic swab, such as Dacron or rayon on a plastic shaft, and submit in Viral Transport Media (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM). Acceptable swab specimen sources include: nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal (throat) swabs, and combined nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal. For nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs: Collect using standard nasopharyngeal collection technique using one swab through one nostril to the post-nasopharynx. Rotate the swab several times before removing the swab. Place the swab into a tube containing 2-3 mL of viral transport media (VTM) or universal transport media (UTM). Snap off the end of the swab at the scored breakpoint to leave the swab in the tube. Instructions for collecting nasopharyngeal specimens are available from COPANusa via video or PDF. For oropharyngeal (OP) (throat) swabs: Use a single swab to collect secretions from the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas, avoiding the tongue and teeth. Remove swab, insert in a tube containing 2-3 mL of VTM or UTM, snap off the end of the swab at the scored breakpoint to leave the swab in the tube. For combined NP and OP swabs: Collect each specimen as detailed above. Insert both the NP and OP swabs into a single tube containing 2-3 mL of VTM or UTM. Snap off the end of the swabs at the scored breakpoints to leave both swabs in the tube. Urine in a sterile container is also accepted but not preferred.
Optimal Volume	Swab: 2-3 mL VTM or UTM Urine: 50 mL
Minimum Volume	Swab: 2 mL VTM or UTM Urine: 10 mL - Smaller volumes are accepted but may yield indeterminate results.
Handling	Ensure the caps on all tubes are tightly secured and do not leak. Store specimen(s) at refrigerated temperatures (2-8°C) pending transport. If specimens cannot be received at the OSPHL within 72 hours of specimen collection, freeze the specimen(s) at -20°C to -70°C pending transport.
Transport	Package specimens with fully frozen ice packs to maintain refrigerated temperatures during transport. Transport for receipt at the OSPHL within 72 hours of specimen collection. If specimen is frozen, maintain frozen temperatures during transport by properly shipping with dry ice to maintain frozen temperatures. The OSPHL recommends that specimens only be sent from your facility Monday through Thursday and transported for receipt by 4:30pm on Fridays. Refrigerated specimens received on Saturdays may be Unsatisfactory for testing.
Rejection Criteria	Swabs with calcium alginate, cotton tips, or wooden shafts; specimen that is collected more than 10 days after rash onset; refrigerated specimens received in the laboratory more than 72 hours after collection; specimens frozen and thawed more than once. Specimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy (pdf).
Comments	Original material submitted for testing is retained for 7 calendar days after receipt at the laboratory. This test will identify measles nucleoprotein (N) gene.

Method Details
Methodology	Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Performance Specifications	Method Performance Specifications determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please contact the CDC for specifications if needed.

Change Log
2/19/2025	Updated Search Terms; How to Order; Availability
6/26/2024	Updated Collection
5/23/2023	Reviewed; no updates