Microbiology Laboratory Tests: Calicivirus to Cholera

Microbiology
Norovirus
Related Agents: Norwalk-like Virus, Norovirus
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Test Includes: Real-Time PCR for Norovirus 

Reporting

Results Available: 1-3 days Contact #s: 512-458-7735

Reference

Method: Real-Time PCR  
Turnaround Time:  1-3 days Reference Range:  Negative
Limitations: May not detect nucleic acid material in all cases Interpretation: A negative result does not indicate that the patient is not infected. The laboratory test may not be able to detect very low levels of virus.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Feces Sample Type: Feces
Volume/Amount Required: At least 200 µL Preferred Specimen:  Feces
Collection/Preservation: Collect fresh, no preservatives Storage Instructions: store cold,  4° C, do not freeze
Causes for Rejection: Improper specimen, bloody stool Sample Container: Stool specimen must be in sterile container without preservatives.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Test is performed 1-2 times per week
Diagnostic Information:  Detection of viral RNA by real-time PCR. Absence of viral RNA does not necessarily indicate lack of infection. Testing performed on outbreak specimens.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B  Specimen Handling: Keep cold,  4° C, do not freeze
Transport Temperature:  2-8° C (refrigerated) Shipping Requirements: Ship on wet ice

Billing

CPT Code: 87798 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Candidiasis (Culture – Identification)

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Test Includes: Morphological and/or biochemical identification to species level.

Reporting

Results Available: 7-10 days Contact #s: 512-458-7586.

Reference

Method: Morphological and/or biochemical testing.  
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
Chagas’ Disease (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; 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. Serum specimens are forwarded to the CDC. A four-fold rise in titer between acute and convalescent specimens is considered evidence of recent infection.

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: 86753 Fees:

Microbiology
Chlamydia (Genetic Probe)

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Test Includes: GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay

Reporting

Results Available: 2-3 days   Contact #s: (512) 776-7657

Reference

Method: GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay  
Turnaround Time:  2-3 days   Reference Range:  Negative for Chlamydia trachomatis
Limitations: Results dependent on adequacy of sampling. Refer to package insert of the appropriate GEN-PROBE specimen collection kit. The APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay is not intended for the evaluation of suspected sexual abuse or for other medico-legal indications Interpretation: Negative results indicate that the patient does not have detectable amounts of C. trachomatis rRNA.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Only specimens collected in APTIMA ®collection kits can be processed for testing. There are three kits we use for our testing;
APTIMA® Urine Specimen Collection Kit for Male and Female Urine Specimens
APTIMA® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit for Endocervical and Male Urethral Swab Specimens
APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimens kit
Sample Type: Female urine, vaginal and endocervical swab. Male urine and urethral swab.
Volume/Amount Required: Refer to package insert of APTIMA® Specimen Collection Kit for detailed directions. Preferred Specimen:  Urine (Male or Female);
Female Endocervical Swab;
Female Vaginal Swab;
Male Urethral Swab
Collection/Preservation: Only swabs contained in the GEN-PROBE® APTIMA®specimen collection kit can be used to collect patient specimens. Storage Instructions: Store at ambient temperature.
Causes for Rejection: Wrong name on collection tube, two swabs in tube, no swab on tube, a cleaning swab or a swab not supplied by GEN-PROBE. Urine must fall between the two black indicator lines on the tube label. Sample Container: APTIMA® Urine Specimen Collection Kit for Male and Female Urine Specimen,swabs
APTIMA® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit for Endocervical and Male Urethral Swab Specimens and APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimens
Sample Test Kit: GEN-PROBE APTIMA 2 COMBO ASSAY Availability: Tested Monday – Friday.
Diagnostic Information:  GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay is available only to those in STD and Family Planning Programs and to adolescent THSteps (EPSDT) patients for whom collectors are provided. Specimen requirements: Female urine, vaginal swab, or endocervical swab and male urine and urethral swabs using the appropriate GEN-PROBE® APTIMA®Specimen Collection Kit. Only swabs contained in the GEN-PROBE® APTIMA® specimen collection kit can be used to collect patient specimens.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B, G-THSTEPS for THSteps Medicaid  Specimen Handling: body fluid handled with universal precautions
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature (2°-30°C) Shipping Requirements: In accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens, noninfectious.

Billing

CPT Code: 87491 Fees: