Specimen Collection and Testing for MERS-CoV

For patients with clinical suspicion of MERS-CoV, please call MDH at 651-201-5414, or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414, to obtain testing approval and consultation on specimen collection.

On this page:
Appropriate Specimen Types and Specimen Collection
Infection Control for Specimen Collection
Specimen Submission Forms
Shipping to MDH-PHL
Other Influenza lab information

Appropriate Specimen Types and Specimen Collection

For patients with clinical suspicion of MERS-CoV, please call MDH at 651-201-5414, or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414, to obtain testing approval and consultation on specimen collection.

CDC recommends the collection of specimens from lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract, and blood.  At a minimum, MDH recommends the collection of a respiratory specimen (upper or lower) and a blood specimen.    

• Lower respiratory specimens
  • Sputum
  • Broncheoalveolar lavage
  • Bronchial wash
  • Tracheal aspirate
  • Pleural fluid
• Upper respiratory specimens
  • Nasopharyngeal swab and oralpharyngeal swab (NP/OP swab)
  • Instructions for collecting NP/OP swab:
    1. Use only synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts.
    2. Do not use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts.
    3. Place swab into a sterile tube containing 2-3ml of viral transport media.
    4. NP/OP specimens need to be combined, placing both swabs in the same vial.
    
• Serum
  • For children and adults - collect 1 tube (5-10mL) of whole blood in a serum separator tube.
  • For infants – collect a minimum of 1 mL of whole blood. If possible, collect 1 mL in a serum separator tube.
• CDC: Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Version 2.1 (PDF)
  CDC document with more information about specimen collection.
  

Infection Control For Specimen Collection

• CDC: Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations: MERS
  Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for confirmed, probable or cases under investigation. Update, Case Definitions, and Guidance.

Specimen Submission Forms

Please use the Clinical Testing and Submission Form and note MERS-CoV testing under “Other”:

• Clinical Testing and Submission Form: ARLN Submission Form (PDF)
  Submission forms and guidance documents are available at Forms for the Infectious Disease Laboratory.

Shipping to MDH-PHL

• Contact MDH for approval before sending specimens for a suspect case.
  • Providers should call MDH at 651-201-5414 or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414 before sending specimens for suspect cases.
  • Do not submit specimens for a suspect case without prior approval from MDH.
• Refrigerate specimen until shipping.

Questions?

• For an MDH epidemiologist, call 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.
• During business hours you can call the Virology Supervisor at 651-201-5255.