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Synonym(s):
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Clostridium botulinum toxin gene PCR, Botulism
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Requisition Form
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G-27A
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Test Description
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Detection of Clostridium botulinum toxin genes by
PCR (Note: this detects the presence
of toxin genes, which may or may not actively express toxin)
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Pre-Approval Needed
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- DSHS Epidemiology consultation with
physician required
- Must notify BioThreat Team prior to
sample submission: (512) 689-5537
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Supplemental Information Required
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Patient History
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Supplemental Form(s)
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N/A
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Performed on Specimens from (sources)
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-
Human
- Environmental
- Food (associated with a positive clinical sample)
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Sample/Specimen Type for Testing
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- Anaerobic isolate
- Stool
- Gastric
- Water enema
- Wound swab
- Tissue
- Food
(associated with a positive clinical sample)
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Minimum Volume/Size Required
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Feces - Infant 5-10 g or 5 mL enema
- Adult 5-50 g or 5 mL enema
Vomitus or gastric aspirate Food Wound swab Tissue |
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Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping
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Wound and tissue - maintain at ambient
temperature
All others - maintain at 2° to 8°
C (refrigerated)
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Transport Medium
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Isolates sent in
anaerobic transport media
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Specimen Labeling
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Human
- Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number)
- Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.
Non-Human, Environmental or Food - Sample identification must match submission form..
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Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
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• Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49. • Handled as infectious agent using universal precautions. • Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for
infectious agents. • See also Emergency Preparedness
resources online. • Notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission:
(512) 689-5537
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Method
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PCR
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Turn-around Time
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7- 14
days
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Interferences/Limitations
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Use dacron or rayon swabs for sample collection, as cotton swabs
interfere with PCR.
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Common Causes for
Rejection
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Insufficient quantity
- unacceptable
specimen type or source
- improper shipping conditions
- expired media or
collection container
- discrepancies between specimen label and submission
form
- incomplete or missing submission form
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Additional
Information
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May be paired with Culture: Botulinum (human)
and/or Botulinum- Toxin assay
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