Herpes Simplex Virus Culture [2692X]

Test Code

HSVCC

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB946
Quest: 841

CPT Codes
87255

Preferred Specimen

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

Minimum Volume

1 mL fluid or 1 g 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 Container

VCM medium (green-cap) tube or
equivalent

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

VCM medium (green-cap) tube or
equivalent

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 4 days

Frozen -20C: Unacceptable Frozen -70C: 30 days

Raw (unpreserved)specimens

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

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3-4 days

Report Available

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3-4 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: April 27, 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.