Microbiology Laboratory Tests: O-P
Microbiology
Paracoccidioidomycosis (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: 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.)
< Return to Table of Contents
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)
< Return to Table of Contents
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)
< Return to Table of Contents
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)
< Return to Table of Contents
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
PinwormSee also Enterobiasis
< Return to Table of Contents
Test Includes: Microscopic Examination |
|
Reporting |
|
Results Available: 3 days |
Contact #s: (512) 458-7560 |
Reference |
|
Method: Microscopic examination |
|
Turnaround Time: 3 days |
Reference Range: No pinworm eggs found |
Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements |
|
Specimen Collection: pinworm prep kits; taped slides |
Sample Type: Pinworm prep kits, taped slides |
Volume/Amount Required: 1 slide/kit per patient |
Preferred Specimen: Pinworm prep kits, taped slides |
Collection/Preservation: Using strip of clear cellulose tape sticky side outward on a microscope slide, press firmly against the perianal folds. The tape is then spread back over the slide adhesive side down. Ship in slide carrier. If using pinworm prep kit, following instructions given in kit. |
Storage Instructions: ambient temperature |
Causes for Rejection: Frosted tape used; |
Sample Container: slide carrier, pinworm prep kit. |
Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday-Friday |
Diagnostic Information:See Enterobiasis |
|
Specimen Submission |
|
Required Request Form: G-2B |
Specimen Handling: Handle using universal percautions |
Transport Temperature: ambient temperature |
Shipping Requirements: Slide carriers, diagnostic specimen |
Billing |
|
CPT Code: 87172 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Plague Culture (Isolation)
< Return to Table of Contents
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)
< Return to Table of Contents
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
Plague (Serological - Hemagglutination)
< Return to Table of Contents
Reporting |
|
Results Available: | Contact #s: |
Reference |
|
Method: Hemagglutination | |
Turnaround Time: 5-7 days | Reference Range: <1:32 (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: 2 mL Serum | Preferred Specimen: Single Serum |
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube | Storage Instructions: 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: Testing is done as requested |
Diagnostic Information: The passive hemagglutination test is used to detect antibodies to Yersinia pestis. Plague serology tests have been based on the detection of antibody to whole cells and to the Y.pestis-specific F1 antigen. If a person or animal has been exposed to Y. pestis, a serum specimen taken at the proper time after exposure/infection will very likely contain anti-F1 antibodies. Confirmation of a reactive result is done using the passive hemagglutination inhibition (PHI) test. Antibody to the antigen is adsorbed out before adding the sensitized sheep red blood cells to the specimen. Agglutination of true positives in the PHI buffer will be inhibited because the free F1 antigen in the F1 buffer will react with anti-F1 and thus remove antibody that can react with the F1 bound to the sheep red blood cells. | |
Specimen Submission |
|
Required Request Form: G-2A | Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
Transport Temperature: Cold (2-8º C) on ice packs if received within 48 hours from time of collection. Frozen (≤-20°) on dry ice if received more than 48 hours from time of collection. | 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: 86793 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Pneumococcus
< Return to Table of Contents
Test Includes: Serological testing performed at the CDC with prior approval only. | |
Reporting |
|
Results Available: | Contact #s: |
Reference |
|
Method: | |
Turnaround Time: Determined by CDC reports | Reference Range: By report |
Limitations: | Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements |
|
Specimen Collection: | Sample Type: Pure Culture |
Volume/Amount Required: One specimen per isolate | Preferred Specimen: Pure culture, safely contained |
Collection/Preservation: | Storage Instructions: Ambient Temperature |
Causes for Rejection: Nonviable, broken in transport | Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube |
Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Monday - Thursday |
Diagnostic Information: See Streptococcus pneumoniae (Culture - Typing) for serotyping of isolates. Serotyping is performed by CDC with prior permission and available only when suspected Vaccination failure or outbreak situation exists. Recurrent infections in a single individual must be approved by CDC before submission. For confirmation of organism as Streptococcus pneumoniae, see Aerobic Bacterial Culture (Isolation). | |
Specimen Submission |
|
Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: Infectious agents |
Transport Temperature: Ambient (Room) temperature | Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. |
Billing |
|
CPT Code: 87070, 87077 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (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: 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
Protothecosis (Culture - Isolation)
< Return to Table of Contents
Test Includes: | |
Reporting |
|
Results Available: | Contact #s: |
Reference |
|
Method: | |
Turnaround Time: | Reference Range: |
Limitations: | Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements |
|
Specimen Collection: | Sample Type: |
Volume/Amount Required: | Preferred Specimen: Isolate; Tissue |
Collection/Preservation: | Storage Instructions: |
Causes for Rejection: | Sample Container: |
Sample Test Kit: | Availability: |
Diagnostic Information: Specimens are forwarded through this Laboratory to the CDC for fluorescence. | |
Specimen Submission |
|
Required Request Form: G-2A | Specimen Handling: |
Transport Temperature: | Shipping Requirements: |
Billing |
|
CPT Code: 87081 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Protothecosis (Microscopic – Direct Fluorescent Antibody)
< Return to Table of Contents
Test Includes: | |
Reporting |
|
Results Available: | Contact #s: |
Reference |
|
Method: | |
Turnaround Time: | Reference Range: |
Limitations: | Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements |
|
Specimen Collection: | Sample Type: |
Volume/Amount Required: | Preferred Specimen: Tissue |
Collection/Preservation: | Storage Instructions: |
Causes for Rejection: | Sample Container: |
Sample Test Kit: | Availability: |
Diagnostic Information: Specimens are forwarded through this Laboratory to the CDC for fluorescence. | |
Specimen Submission |
|
Required Request Form: G-2A | Specimen Handling: |
Transport Temperature: | Shipping Requirements: |
Billing |
|
CPT Code: 87299 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Psittacosis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
Related Agents: Parrot Fever
< 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: 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: |