Additional Info:
If indicated, further testing considered medically appropriate will be reflexed, resulting in additional charges.
Useful For:
Includes testing for adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, and varicella zoster virus on appropriate sources.
Methodology: Tissue culture
Specimen Requirements:
Collect specimens as stated below.
Tissue and Biopsy material:
Collect specimens in a sterile, leakproof container containing UTM transport medium without fixatives. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.
CSF:
2 mL sterile body fluids collected in a sterile screw-cap container, plastic vial, or tube
Sterile body fluids:
For all body fluids add an equal volume of specimen to transport medium (VCM green-cap or equivalent).
NOTE:
Please specify if cytomegalovirus is suspected as culture must be held an additional length of time.
Do not use calginate swabs or those with wooden shafts, as they may yield false negative results.
Do not freeze specimen.
IMPORTANT: Specimen must be delivered to lab same day of collection.
Reject Criteria:
Wooden shaft and calcium alginate swabs
Dry swabs
Transwabs or swabs in transport medium other than specified
Tissue in formalin or other fixatives
Whole blood
Bone marrow in EDTA (refer for PCR testing)
Semen
Sputum
Respiratory specimens
Urine
Conjunctival, oral or genital lesion
Skin lesion
Analytical Time: 5-27 days
Days Set Up: Monday through Sunday
CPT Reflex: Reflex Code: 87299- direct fluorescent stain 87140- typing
CPT Information:
87252 – Virus tissue culture