Herpes simplex Virus Culture with Reflex to Typing

Test Code

HSVCG

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB10065
Quest: 2649

CPT Codes
<p>87255</p>

Includes

If culture is positive, then typing will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87140 per typing)

Preferred Specimen

Patient
Preparation:

Specimen
Type: Swab

Sources: Nasal/nasopharyngeal swab,
endocervical swab, eye swab or lesion (vesicle) aspirate swab,
urethral swab, vaginal swab, rectal mucosa swab (without feces) or
throat swab.

Collection
Container/Type

Preferred: VCM (green-cap) tube

Acceptable: 3 mL Bronchial lavage/wash or
Nasopharyngeal lavage/wash, or Nasopharyngeal lavage/wash, or 1
gram fresh (unfixed) tissue collected in VCM (green-cap) tube or
equivalent, or sterile screw-capped container

Submission
Container/Tube: VCM (green-cap) tube

Specimen
Volume: 3 mL / Swab

Collection
Instructions:

To maintain optimum
viability, place swab into VCM (equal volumes of fluid/tissue and
VCM) or equivalent and transport the specimen to the laboratory as
soon as possible.

Best recovery is
obtained when the specimens are refrigerated at 2-8°C or kept
on wet ice following collection and while in transit.

If there will be a
long delay before processing, specimens in VCM or equivalent should
be frozen at -70°C or colder and transported on dry ice.

Storage or transport
at -20°C is not acceptable. Raw (unpreserved) samples should
only be refrigerated and not frozen.

Minimum Volume

1 mL • 1 gram tissue

Other Acceptable Specimens

Multiple site swabs from newborns (rectal, mouth, eye, nasal, skin)

Instructions

To maintain optimum viability, place swab into VCM (equal volumes of fluid/tissue and VCM) or equivalent and transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. Best recovery is obtained when the specimens are refrigerated at 2-8° C or kept on wet ice following collection and while in transit.

If there will be a long delay before processing, specimens in VCM or equivalent should be frozen at -70° C or colder and transported on dry ice. Storage or transport at -20° C is not acceptable.

Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.

Note: PCR is the preferred test for CSF or eye fluid (preferred specimen: 1 mL CSF or eye fluid submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container without transport media).

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

VCM or equivalent

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 4 days

Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable

Frozen -70° C: 30 days

Sterile screw-cap container

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 72 hours

Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

CSF • Sputum • Raw (unpreserved) stool • Dry
swabs • Molecular transport systems • Bacterial
transport systems • Tissue or biopsies in formalin or other
fixatives • Calcium alginate swabs • Wooden shaft swabs
• Non gel-based bacterial transports

Methodology

Centrifuge Enhanced Culture • Histochemical Stain • Monoclonal Fluorescent Antibody Typing

Setup Schedule

Monday-Saturday Afternoon Report available: Next Day

Report Available

1 - 2 days

Reference Range

Not isolated

Clinical Significance

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is responsible for several clinically significant human viral diseases, with severity ranging from mild to fatal. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 infection are usually found above the waist. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 infections are more commonly seen in association with the genitalia, and surrounding areas, and are usually sexually transmitted. It is important to note however, that both Herpes Simplex types 1 and 2 have been involved in all disease manifestations and locations of the body, following introduction of the virus through broken skin or mucous membranes.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: May 4, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.