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Get in Touch

Email
Phone
512-776-7318
Fax
512-776-7294

Specimen Receiving

Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Phone: 512-776-7598

Microbiology Laboratory Tests: O-P

Microbiology
Paracoccidioidomycosis (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: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum
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 is sent to the CDC.  CF titer parallels severity.  Cross-reactions do occur.  Precipitin bands denote past or present disease.

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: 86671 Fees:

 

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

Reporting
Results Available: 3 weeks 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:  Single Serum
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 is sent to the CDC.

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: 86682 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Paragonimiasis (Microscopic – Direct Wet Smears Concentration)
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Test Includes:

Reporting
Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference
Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 days Reference Range:
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Feces
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container:
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin. Adult flukes must be sent in ethyl alcohol.  Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Ambient (Room) temperature   Shipping Requirements:

Billing
CPT Code: 87210 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Parainfluenza (Culture – Isolation)
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Test Includes: Cell culture.

Reporting
Results Available: 5-14 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594.

Reference
Method: Cell Culture  
Turnaround Time:  5-14 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 viruses 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: Swabs in 2-4 mLs of viral transport media. Preferred Specimen:  Throat Swab; Nasopharyngeal Secretions
Collection/Preservation: Viral transport media. Storage Instructions: Arriving < 48 hours after collection, store and send at 2-8° C. Arriving > 48 hours after collection, store and send at -70° C (dry ice).
Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. Sample Container: Sterile container.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Specimens are inoculated onto a variety of cell culture monolayers.  If characteristic CPE or hemadsorption is observed, confirmation of identification will be performed.

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2V Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  
Arriving <48 hours:  2-8°C
Arriving >48 hours:  send on dry ice  		 Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing
CPT Code: 87252 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Parainfluenza (Culture – Typing)
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Test Includes: Immunofluorescence

Reporting
Results Available: 5-14 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594.

Reference
Method: Immunofluorescence  
Turnaround Time:  5-14 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: If transporting on dry ice, send 1-2 mLs. Preferred Specimen:  Cell culture isolate with CPE.
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions: If shipment of isolate will be delayed, store at -70° C.
Causes for Rejection:   Sample Container: Sterile cryovial.
Sample Test Kit: Availability:  Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:   Typing of clinical isolates is based on immunofluorescence tests using monoclonal antibodies to parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2V Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Frozen isolate: on dry ice Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing
CPT Code: 87253 Fees:

Microbiology
Plague Culture (Isolation)
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Test Includes:

Reporting
Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference
Method:  
Turnaround Time:  4-14 days Reference Range:  None isolated.
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Lymph node aspirate; Blood; Sputum; Tissue; CSF.  
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container:
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Telephone Laboratory (512-776-3781) prior to shipping specimen.  Cultures must be held for 14 days before reporting as negative. See Yersinia pestis. Yersinia pestis is one of the agents listed on the Bioterrorism agents list. See Bioterrorism agents (Clinical -Isolation)

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-27A  Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  <24 hrs, 2-8°C Shipping Requirements:

Billing
CPT Code: 87040, 87045, 87070 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Plague Culture (Identification)
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Test Includes:

Reporting
Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference
Method:  
Turnaround Time:  4-7 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Pure culture, safely contained.
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container:
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Telephone Laboratory (512-776-3781) prior to shipping specimen. See Yersinia pestis. Yersinia pestis is one of the agents listed on the Bioterrorism agents list. See Bioterrorism agents (Referred -identification).

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form:  G-27A  Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Ambient (Room) temperature Shipping Requirements:

Billing
CPT Code: 87077 Fees:



Microbiology
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (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: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum
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 must be included. Serum specimens are sent to the CDC with prior arrangement only.

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: 86849 Fees:


Microbiology
Psittacosis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
Related Agents: Parrot Fever
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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: Serum
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:  Birds must be sent to Texas A&M University, School of Veterinary Medicine.  Human serum specimens collected 14 days apart are forwarded to the CDC with prior arrangement.

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:  86631, 86632 Fees: