Yersinia pestis (Plague) by Real-time (TaqMan®) PCR Assay

Data	Value
Method	Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR) Amplification of Yersinia pestis DNA.
Test Scope	Rapid presumptive identification by q-PCR of suspect Yersinia pestis from isolates or directly from clinical specimens and/or environmental specimens. Followed by confirmatory culture methods.
Preferred Specimen	Gram negative bacteria grown in liquid medium/blood culture or isolate on agar plates or slates. Collect other specimens if/as clinically indicated (lymph node aspirates, lesion exudates, bronchial/tracheal washings or nasopharyngeal swabs from inhalational exposure. Non-clinical environmental/evidentiary samples (paper, powder, soil, food, grass, water or air samples) accepted from law enforcement agencies ONLY.
Specimen Container	Isolates submitted in screw top slants. Swabs submitted in screw top polypropylene centrifuge tubes. Do Not use calcium alginate or cotton tip swabs.
Specimen Identification	Label specimen with patient's first name, last name, DOB, collection date/time and specimen source.
Special Instructions	Alert NSHL staff (Microbiology or Emergency Response) when sending specimen for testing.
Shipping Requirements	Clinical - Room temperature for culture isolates. Environmental - Ship samples 2-8° C. In either case ship according to current IATA regulations.
Note	Post antibiotic specimens may be compromised for the confirmatory culture methods.
Sample Rejection Criteria	Swabs with calcium alginate or cotton tips and wooden shafts. Unlabeled or Mislabeled specimens
Turn-around-time	Presumptive PCR result within 12-24 hours, M-F; Culture confirmatory and speciation 7-10 days