Microbiology Laboratory Tests: S
Microbiology
Shigellosis Culture (Identification)
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| Test Includes: Conventional Biochemicals, Serological typing. | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 3-10 days | Contact #s: (512) 458-7185 |
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Reference |
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| Method: Conventional biochemicals, slide agglutination, | |
| Turnaround Time: 5-7 days | Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: | Interpretation: |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: | Sample Type: Pure culture |
| Volume/Amount Required: One specimen per patient. | Preferred Specimen: Pure culture |
| Collection/Preservation: | Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature |
| Causes for Rejection: | Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Food specimens accepted from public health officials, or from physicians as specified in instructions, see Food (Culture –(Identification) For Molecular analysis Molecular typing (PFGE). | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: Infectious agent, biosafety level 2 |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature | Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87077 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Shigellosis Culture (Typing)
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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: 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 cultures, safely contained |
| Collection/Preservation: | Storage Instructions: |
| Causes for Rejection: | Sample Container: |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: |
| Diagnostic Information: Serotying is performed on all Shigella species submitted for identification. PFGE for strain relatedness done at TDSHS. Contact Lab for submission instructions. Molecular analysis at TDSHS upon request. For Molecular analysis Molecular typing (PFGE). | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient (Room) temperature | Shipping Requirements: |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87147 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Sporotrichosis (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: 3 weeks | Contact #s: |
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Reference |
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| Method: | |
| Turnaround Time: 3 weeks | Reference Range: <1:16 (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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| 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. A titer of 1:16 provides presumptive evidence of 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: 86671 | Fees: |
Microbiology
St. Louis Encephalitis (Serological – Enzyme Immunoassay - IgM capture and IgG)
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 1-3 days | Contact #s: |
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Reference |
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| Method: EIA | |
| Turnaround Time: 1-3 days | Reference Range: <2.00 (Nonreactive) |
| Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. May cross react with other arthropod borne viruses. | 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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: Venipuncture | Sample Type: Serum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 2 mL Serum | Preferred Specimen: Paired Sera; 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: Test performed daily |
| Diagnostic Information: IgG titers of >1:16 are suggestive of exposure, while the presence of IgM indicates recent infection. Human infections are seasonal, from mid- to late-summer, occurring throughout the southern, southwestern and west central states. Serological cross-reactions with Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever disease and immunization. While a single serum may be tested, a second specimen collected 7-14 days later may be required for best 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: 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. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 86653 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Staphylococcus (Culture – Identification)
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| Test Includes: Conventional biochemicals, API Staph | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 5-7 days | Contact #s: (512) 458-7582 |
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Reference |
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| Method: Conventional biochemicals, API Staph | |
| Turnaround Time: 5-7 days | Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: | Interpretation: By report |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: | Sample Type: Pure culture |
| Volume/Amount Required: one specimen per patient. | Preferred Specimen: Pure culture on agar slant |
| Collection/Preservation: ambient temperature | Storage Instructions: ambient temperature |
| Causes for Rejection: Name on tube/form do not match; Broken in transport | Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Phage typing is no longer performed and has been replaced by molecular analysis. PFGE for strain relatedness is performed at TDSHS. For Molecular analysis see Molecular typing (PFGE) Referred clinical isolates for identification: See Aerobic Bacterial Culture, (Identification), Food (Culture –(Identification). | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: Handle as an infectious agent |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature | Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87077 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Staphylococcus Culture (Isolation)
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| Test Includes: Conventional biochemicals, API Staph | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 3-7 days | Contact #s: (512) 458-7582 |
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Reference |
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| Method: conventional biochemicals, API Staph | |
| Turnaround Time: 3-7 days | Reference Range: None isolated |
| Limitations: Organism must be viable for culture studies. Specimen must be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobial studies. | Interpretation: No Staphlylococcus aureus isolated indicates that there were no viable organisms in the specimen. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: stool, wound | Sample Type: stool, wound |
| Volume/Amount Required: 10 g stool or 10 mL liquid stool; | Preferred Specimen: Stool in aimes or stuart’s transport; wound swab in aimes or stuart’s transport. |
| Collection/Preservation: Collect stool in clean, dry container. Transfer to aimes or stuart’s transport. Remove Store at 2-8° C. | Storage Instructions: 2-8° C. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Sample Container: Transport tube |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Food samples are tested for Staphylococcal enterotoxin when requested. See Food Poisoning Culture (Toxin Detection) Culture studies are performed only requested. Food Poisoning (Culture - Isolation). | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. |
| Transport Temperature: 2-8 °C | Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87077 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Strep Screen (Group B only)
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Test Includes: Group B Strep Isolation, Identification |
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Reporting |
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Results Available: 4-10 days |
Contact #s: (512) 776-7657 |
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Reference |
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Method: Bacterial culture, routine isolation and identification |
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Turnaround Time: 4-10 days |
Reference Range:No group B streptococci isolated. |
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Limitations: Specimen should be taken prior to antimicrobial therapy. Organisms must be viable for culture studies. |
Interpretation: Negative results indicate that the patient does not have detectable amounts group B streptococci. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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Specimen Collection: Prepartum patients: Collect specimen at 35-37 weeks gestation. The optimum specimen for this test is a vaginal/rectal swab. Results may be compromised if only a vaginal swab is submitted. A single swab or two separate swabs may be used. Non Pregnant patients: Collect specimen with swab. |
Sample Type: Prepartum patients: Vaginal/rectal swab Other patients: Swab |
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Volume/Amount Required: One (1) swab |
Preferred Specimen: Pure culture |
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Collection/Preservation: Amies or Stuart’s media Note: if two separate swabs are used, submit both in same transport tube. |
Storage Instructions: Store at 4°C to 25°C |
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Causes for Rejection: Swabs > 4 days old, Swabs not on transport media, Expired transport device, received frozen, viral transport device, DNA probe transport device, Urine specimen or swab. |
Sample Container: Aimes or Stuart’s transport media |
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Sample Test Kit: NA |
Availability: Tested Monday – Friday |
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Diagnostic Information: |
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Specimen Submission |
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Required Request Form: G-2B |
Specimen Handling: Body fluid handled with universal precautions. |
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Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature (4°-25°C) |
Shipping Requirements: In accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens |
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Billing |
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CPT Code: 87077 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Strongyloidiasis (Microscopic – Direct)
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| Test Includes: Microscopic Examination | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 3 days | Contact #s: ( 512) 458-7560 |
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Reference |
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| Method: Microscopic examination | |
| Turnaround Time: 3 days | Reference Range: No parasites seen |
| Limitations: | Interpretation: Negative report indicates that there were no visible parasites in the specimen submitted. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: Feces, sputum | Sample Type: Feces, sputum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL liquid stool, 15 g stool, 10-15 mL sputum | Preferred Specimen: Feces in formalin; Sputum |
| Collection/Preservation: Collect stool in clean, dry container. Transfer immediately to formalin preservative. Collect sputum in clean, dry container. Hold at ambient temperature. | Storage Instructions: ambient temperature; do not refrigerate or freeze. |
| Causes for Rejection: Unpreserved stool > 5 hours | Sample Container: |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Fecal specimens must be sent in fresh (less that five hours) or in formalin. Sputum specimens can also be sent. Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2B | Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care. |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature | Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens. |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 87177 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Syphilis (Serological – Rapid Plasma Reagin Card)
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 1-2 Days | Contact #s: |
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Reference |
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| Method: RPR Card Test (agglutination) | |
| Turnaround Time: 1-2 days | 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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: Venipuncture | Sample Type: Serum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 5 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, gross hemolysis | Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Test performed daily |
| Diagnostic Information: The rapid plasma reagin (RPR) card test is a macroscopic, non-treponemal flocculation test for the qualitative and semi-qualitative serological detection of syphilis. Nontreponemal tests for syphilis become reactive 4-6 weeks after infection with titers peaking during secondary to early latent stage. Treatment in the primary or secondary stages usually results in a rapid decline in titer. Treatment given in latent or late stages has less effect on antibody titers and the test may remain reactive at low titers indefinitely. The reagin-type antibody binds with the antigen that is composed of a complex of cardiolipin, lecithin and cholesterol particles with activated charcoal; the result of this antigen-antibody reaction is a macroscopic flocculation that shows up as black clumps against the white card. The RPR-Card test is a screening test and without some other evidence for the diagnosis of syphilis, a reactive non-treponemal test does not confirm Treponema pallidum infection. The RPR-Card test does not distinguish between syphilis and other treponematoses such as yaws, pinta and bejel. The semi-qualitative RPR-Card Test may be used as a method to follow response to treatment. A four-fold or greater drop in titer between pre- and post-treatment specimens is indicative of response to therapy. Test is performed daily. |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2A, G-THSTEPS for THSteps Medicaid | Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
| Transport Temperature: Separated serum or SST tube at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or serum -20°C (frozen). | Shipping Requirements: Triple contain. Separated serum, or SST Tubes within 5 days may be shipped overnight on cold packs (2-8°C), or > 5 days, ship serum frozen (-20°C) and mail on dry ice |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 86592 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Syphilis [Serological – Treponema pallidum - Particle Agglutination (TP-PA)]
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| Test Includes: | |
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Reporting |
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| Results Available: 3-4 days | Contact #s: |
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Reference |
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| Method: Agglutination | |
| Turnaround Time: 3-4 days | 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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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| Specimen Collection: Venipuncture | Sample Type: Serum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 5 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, gross hemolysis | Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube |
| Sample Test Kit: | Availability: Test performed three times per week |
| Diagnostic Information: The Serodia TP-PA is a qualitative gelatin particle agglutination assay for the detection of Treponemal pallidum antibodies in human serum. The test is based on the agglutination of colored gelatin particles sensitized with T. pallidum antigen. Serum containing specific antibodies will react with the antigen sensitized gelatin particles to form a smooth mat of agglutinated particles. A compact button formed by the settling of non-agglutinated particles characterizes negative reactions. Unlike the nontreponemal tests, once the TP-PA test becomes reactive, it remains reactive for many years. Since the reactivity found with the TP-PA does not indicate response to therapy, it is not suitable for monitoring treatment. The TP-PA test does not distinguish between syphilis and other treponematoses such as yaws, pinta and bejel. TP-PA is run only if the RPR Card test results performed at TDSHS are reactive. Otherwise, justification is required for performing TP-PA test. The test is run three times per week. | |
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Specimen Submission |
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| Required Request Form: G-2A | Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
| Transport Temperature: Separated serum or SST tubes at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or serum -20°C (frozen). -20°C (frozen). | Shipping Requirements: Triple contain. Separated serum, or SST Tubes within 5 days may be shipped overnight on cold packs (2-8°C), or > 5 days, ship serum frozen (-20°C) and mail on dry ice |
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Billing |
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| CPT Code: 86781 | Fees: |
Microbiology
Syphilis (Serological – Venereal Disease Research Laboratory)
Names of Related Agents: Neurosyphilis
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Test Includes: Slide agglutination |
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Reporting |
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Results Available: 3-5 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7578 |
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Reference |
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Method: Agglutination |
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Turnaround Time: 3-5 days |
Reference Range: Nonreactive |
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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. |
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Specimen Requirements |
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Specimen Collection: Spinal Tap |
Sample Type: CSF |
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Volume/Amount Required: 1 mL CSF minimum |
Preferred Specimen: Spinal Fluid |
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Collection/Preservation: Sterile collection tube |
Storage Instructions: CSF may be transported at 2-8°C (ice packs) if the specimen will arrive at the laboratory within 5 days. If not, freeze CSF immediately, store at -20°C . |
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Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of CSF for testing |
Sample Container: Sterile collection tube |
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Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Test performed twice per week |
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Diagnostic Information: The VDRL is a non-treponemal test to detect lipoidal antigen to T. pallidum. VDRL is run on spinal fluid specimens only, for suspected neurosyphilis. A reactive VDRL test on CSF, free of blood or other contaminants, almost always indicates past or present syphilis infection of the central nervous system. The test is run twice per week. |
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Specimen Submission |
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Required Request Form: G-2A |
Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
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Transport Temperature: 2-8° for 5 days, or -20°C (frozen). |
Shipping Requirements: Triple contained, on ice packs at 2-8 °C for five days, or frozen (-20°C) and mailed overnight on dry ice. |
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Billing |
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CPT Code: 86592 |
Fees: $20.00 |