Microbiology
Coronavirus (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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
Cryptococcosis (Culture - Isolation)
< Return to Table of Contents
| Test Includes: Isolation of fungus and morphological and biochemical tests for identification to species level. |
Reporting
|
| Results Available: 14-21 days |
Contact #s: Contact #s: 512-458-7455 for prior approval
Technical questions: 512-458-7586 |
Reference
|
| Method: Biochemical testing for identification |
|
| Turnaround Time: 14-21 days |
Reference Range: Negative |
| Limitations: Delay in transport of specimen could compromise isolation of organism. |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
|
| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: Clinical Specimen |
| Volume/Amount Required: 3 mL to 15 mL |
Preferred Specimen: Sputum; Tissue; Spinal Fluid; Blood |
| Collection/Preservation: No preservative |
Storage Instructions: Transport specimen as soon as possible. Cryptococcus species do not survive refrigeration well. |
| Causes for Rejection: Specimens received frozen, in formalin, or in culture medium will be rejected. Swabs are discouraged unless the only specimen available; submit swabs in 5 mL sterile saline. Blood specimens less than 5 mL are not acceptable. Refrigerated blood specimens will be rejected. |
Sample Container: Triple-contained. Sterile, leak-proof, 50 mL conical tube preferred for primary container. Add up to 10 mL sterile saline to tissue if needed to maintain moisture during transport. If blood, prefer yellow-top with ACD; may also contain SPS. Green-top is acceptable with lithium or heparin. |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Testing available upon approval by Dr. Penfield |
| Diagnostic Information: Approval for this testing must be obtained prior to shipping by telephoning Dr. Susan Penfield at 512-458-7455. |
Specimen Submission
|
| Required Request Form: G-2B |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient acceptable but 2-8º C preferred for non-sterile specimens. |
Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet requirements of DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA for shipping of clinical specimens. |
Billing
|
| CPT Code: 87106 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Cryptococcosis (Culture - Identification)
< Return to Table of Contents
| Test Includes: Morphological and biochemical testing for identification to species level. |
Reporting
|
| Results Available: 7-10 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7586 |
Reference
|
| Method: Biochemical testing for identification |
|
| Turnaround Time: 7-10 days |
Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
|
| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: |
| Volume/Amount Required: |
Preferred Specimen: Pure Culture |
| Collection/Preservation: No preservative |
Storage Instructions: |
| Causes for Rejection: Culture infested with mites. |
Sample Container: Triple-contained |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Tested 5 days/week: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Fungal isolates (pure culture) submitted to this Laboratory for definitive identification. Drug susceptibility testing on these organisms not available at TDSHS laboratory. |
Specimen Submission
|
| Required Request Form: G-2B |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Room temperature |
Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet rigorous performance tests as outlined in the DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA regulations for shipping of infectious substances. |
Billing
|
| CPT Code: 87106 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Cryptosporidiosis (Microscopic – Direct Concentration Acid Fast Stain)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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.)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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)
< Return to Table of Contents
| 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: |