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: