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25417 Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus PCR Testing (MERS-CoV) (VR01738)

Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus PCR Testing (MERS-CoV) (VR01738)
Test Code: MISC
Synonyms/Keywords
​MERS-CoV
Useful For
Approval for testing must be received by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health by the provider prior to ordering the test to be sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene.  Please contact WDPH at (715) 365-2501 or Tom Haupt at (608) 266-5326.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no rep​​eat)
​Broncheoalveolar lavage ​Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup ​Sterile dry container ​3 mL ​2 mL ​

​Nasopharyngeal AND/OR
Oropharyngeal swabs

 ​Synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts placed in sterile tubes containing 2-3 mL of viral transport media.  Swabs may be combined, placing both swabs in the same vial. ​ ​N/A ​N/A ​
​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​ ​1 mL ​200 uL ​
​Stool ​Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup ​Sterile dry container ​5 grams ​2 grams ​
Collection Processing Instructions

Please refer to the following CDC website for collection guidelines:

​http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-lab-biosafety.html

WSLH must be called and told sample will be coming once approval from WDPH has been secured.  During work hours call 800-862-1013, after hours call 608-263-3280.

Acceptable Body Sites
​To increase the likelihood of detecting infection, the CDC recommends collection of multiple specimens from different sites at different times after symptom onset if possible.
Acceptable Specimen Types
​http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time​​
​Broncheoalveolar lavage ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) ​1 year
​Nasopharyngeal / Oropharyngeal swab ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) 1 year​
​Serum ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Stool ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) ​1 year
Rejection Criteria
​​Calcium alginate or wooden shaft swabs
​Refrigerated specimen received > 72 hours old
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation​​
​Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene ​As needed ​1-2 days ​Real-time PCR
Reference Lab
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Rang​​e
​Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene ​Not detected
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comment​​s
​87798 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​MERS-CoV
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no rep​​eat)
​Broncheoalveolar lavage ​Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup ​Sterile dry container ​3 mL ​2 mL ​

​Nasopharyngeal AND/OR
Oropharyngeal swabs

 ​Synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts placed in sterile tubes containing 2-3 mL of viral transport media.  Swabs may be combined, placing both swabs in the same vial. ​ ​N/A ​N/A ​
​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​ ​1 mL ​200 uL ​
​Stool ​Sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup ​Sterile dry container ​5 grams ​2 grams ​
Collection Processing

Please refer to the following CDC website for collection guidelines:

​http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-lab-biosafety.html

WSLH must be called and told sample will be coming once approval from WDPH has been secured.  During work hours call 800-862-1013, after hours call 608-263-3280.

Acceptable Body Sites
​To increase the likelihood of detecting infection, the CDC recommends collection of multiple specimens from different sites at different times after symptom onset if possible.
Acceptable Specimen Types
​http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time​​
​Broncheoalveolar lavage ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) ​1 year
​Nasopharyngeal / Oropharyngeal swab ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) 1 year​
​Serum ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Stool ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen (-70 C) ​1 year
Rejection Criteria
​​Calcium alginate or wooden shaft swabs
​Refrigerated specimen received > 72 hours old
Useful For
Approval for testing must be received by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health by the provider prior to ordering the test to be sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene.  Please contact WDPH at (715) 365-2501 or Tom Haupt at (608) 266-5326.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Rang​​e
​Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene ​Not detected
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation​​
​Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene ​As needed ​1-2 days ​Real-time PCR
Reference Lab
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comment​​s
​87798 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.