Microbiology Laboratory Tests: Coronavirus to Cytomegalovirus

 

Microbiology
Coronavirus (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing)
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Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  Nonreactive
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Paired Sera
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760.  A detailed patient history is required.  Isolate and serum specimens are sent to the CDC with prior approval only.  EM studies done with prior approval only.  Specimens must be iced but not frozen. 

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions
Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature for specimens on the blood clot, separated serum at 2-8° C (refrigerated) or -20° C (frozen).  Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8° C), or frozen (-20° C) and mailed on dry ice.

Billing

CPT Code: 86790 Fees:


Microbiology
Cryptosporidiosis (Microscopic – Direct Concentration Acid Fast Stain)
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Test Includes: Acid Fast Stain

Reporting

Results Available:  3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Acid Fast Stain  
Turnaround Time:  3 days Reference Range: No parasites found
Limitations: Interpretation: No parasites found indicates that there were no visible parasites consistent with Cryptosporidia. A negative test does not rule out the possibility of other parasitic infections.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection:  Feces Sample Type: Fresh Feces
Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL stool, liquid stool, 15 gms Preferred Specimen:  Feces fresh (less than five hours) or formalin
Collection/Preservation: Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin.

Storage Instructions:  ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection: Unpreserved stool > 5 hours old. Sample Container:  Formalin Transport for parasites.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin.  Specimens are accepted from public health officials.  Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:  Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87015 Fees:


Microbiology
Cyclospora sp. (Microscopic – Direct Concentration Heat Infused Acid Fast) 
Fecal Specimens must be sent in formalin
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Test Includes:  Acid fast stain

Reporting

Results Available: 3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Acid fast stain  
Turnaround Time: 3 days Reference Range: No parasites found. 
Limitations: Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin. Interpretation: No parasites found indicates that there were no visible parasites consistent with Cyclospora. A negative test does not rule out the possibility of other parasitic infections.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Feces Sample Type: Feces in formalin
Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL liquid stool or 15 gram stool Preferred Specimen:  Feces in formalin
Collection/Preservation: Fecal specimens are collected and placed in formalin preservative. Storage Instructions: ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection: feces > 5 hours old not in formalin. Sample Container: Vial with formalin
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin.  Specimens are accepted from public health officials.  Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care.
Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature. Shipping Requirements:  Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87015 Fees:


Microbiology
Cysticercosis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
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Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  Nonreactive
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum; Spinal Fluid
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8° C
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760. A detailed patient history is required. Serum specimens are forwarded to the CDC.  A Nonreactive serological result does not rule out the disease.  Rare cross-reactions occur.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions
Transport Temperature:  Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8° C), or frozen (-20° C) and mailed on dry ice. Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8° C), or frozen (-20° C) and mailed on dry ice.

Billing

CPT Code: 86682 Fees:


Microbiology
Cysticercosis (Taenia Solium) (Microscopic – Direct Stained Slides)
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Test Includes: Microscopic examination

Reporting

Results Available: 1 day Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Microscopic examination  
Turnaround Time:  1 day Reference Range: Specimen submitted was not a worm.
Limitations: Interpretation:  By report

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: adult worms, tissue Sample Type: Tissue; Worm (in alcohol, not formalin); Cross Sections
Volume/Amount Required: small amount of tissue; intact worm Preferred Specimen:  Tissue; Worm (in alcohol, not formalin); Cross Sections
Collection/Preservation: Collect worm and place in alcohol. Storage Instructions: ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection: n/a Sample Container: clean, leak-proof container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Adult worms – Identification of scolex or clearing and examination of proglottids for uterine lateral branches.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: n/a
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature Shipping Requirements: Ambient temperature

Billing

CPT Code: 87177 Fees:


Microbiology
Cytomegalovirus (Culture - Isolation)
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Test Includes: Cell Culture

Reporting

Results Available: 2-21 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594

Reference

Method: Cell Culture  
Turnaround Time:  2-21 days Reference Range:  No virus isolated
Limitations: Interpretation: A result of “No virus isolated” does not necessarily mean absence of a viral agent.  The success of virus isolation depends a great deal on the submission of the proper specimen, collected at the right time, adequately maintained, and shipped with the least possible delay.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Specimens should be collected at an appropriate anatomic site and at the proper time after infection because infectious agents are generally shed for only a short period of time.  Refer to Specimen Collection by Type table for additional instructions.  Sample Type: See preferred specimen
Volume/Amount Required: 10-20 mL of urine, tissue sample in enough viral transport media to prevent drying, swabs in 2-4 mL of viral transport media. Preferred Specimen:  Urine; Tissue; Saliva  
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions: Maintain specimens at 2-8° C immediately after collection.  Ship specimens with the least possible delay.  If freezing specimens for CMV isolation, use a cryoprotective agent such as 2SP.
Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. Sample Container: Sterile container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Isolation is done in conventional tube culture and shell vial cultures.  Shell vial cultures are incubated for 2 days and then an immunofluorescence test using CMV-specific monoclonal antibody is performed.  Tube cultures are held for 21days. If characteristic CPE is observed in the tube culture, an imunofluorescence test is performed using CMV-specific monoclonal antibody. 

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  2-8° C, overnight delivery Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing

CPT Code: 86645 Fees:


Microbiology
Cytomegalovirus (Culture - Identification)
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Test Includes: Immunofluorescence

Reporting

Results Available: 2-21 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594

Reference

Method: Immunofluorescence  
Turnaround Time:  2-21 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Fill monolayer tube with media if transporting at ambient temperature.  If transporting on dry ice, send 1-2 mL. Preferred Specimen:  Cell culture isolate with CPE.
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions: If shipment of cell culture isolate will be delayed, store at -70° C.
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container: Cell culture tube or sterile cryovial.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Identification based on immunofluorescence test using CMV-specific monoclonal antibody.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  
Cell culture tube with CPE:  ambient temperature.
Frozen isolate:  on dry ice. 		Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing

CPT Code: 86644 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Cytomegalovirus (Microscopic – Electron Microscopy)
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Test Includes: Electron microscopy

Reporting

Results Available: 1-2 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594

Reference

Method: Electron microscopy  
Turnaround Time:  1-2 days Reference Range:  Herpesvirus not detected
Limitations: Detection of herpesvirus particles by electron microscopy does not differentiate between CMV, VZ,  Herpes simplex 1 and 2, and other members of the Herpesviridae family. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Specimens should be collected at the proper time after infection because viruses are generally shed for only a short period of time. Sample Type: See preferred specimen.
Volume/Amount Required: 10-20 mL urine Preferred Specimen:  Urine
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions: Maintain specimens at 2-8° C immediately after collection. 
Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. Sample Container:  Sterile container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Result is based on presence or absence of herpesvirus particles.  

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  2-8° C , overnight Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing

CPT Code: 88348 Fees:
Last updated June 24, 2022