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 | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 1-3 days | Contact #s: 512-458-7735 |
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Reference |
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| 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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| 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. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| 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. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87798 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Candidiasis (Culture – Identification)
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| Test Includes: Morphological and/or biochemical identification to species level. | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 7-10 days | Contact #s: 512-458-7586. |
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Reference |
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| Method: Morphological and/or biochemical testing. | |
| Turnaround Time: 7-10 days | Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: | Interpretation: |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| 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. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| 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. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87106 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Chagas’ Disease (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing)
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| Test Includes: | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: | Contact #s: |
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Reference |
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| 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: |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| 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. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| 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. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 86753 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Chlamydia (Genetic Probe)
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| Test Includes: GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 2-3 days. | Contact #s: (512) 776-7657. |
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Reference |
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| 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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| 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. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| 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. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87491 | Fees: |