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Culture, Herpes Simplex/Varicella-Zoster Virus
MessageSpecimen should be collected from affected site of suspected infection as soon as possible after onset of disease. This will increase the possibility of viral isolation.
Test Code
414
CPT Codes
87252
Preferred Specimen
Spinal Fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)-Specimen in viral transport medium is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of spinal fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 2. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Swab or Vesicle Fluid
Container/Tube: Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media
Specimen Volume: Swab or vesicle fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a refrigerated vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media and check outdate. 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Collect vesicular fluid from lesion via aspiration with a 26- or 27-gauge needle attached to a tuberculin syringe, and/or vigorously rub base of lesion with sterile swab provided. 4. Tightly cap vial. 5. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 6. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Tissue
Container/Tube: Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media
Specimen Volume: 0.5 g of tissue
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a refrigerated vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media and check outdate. 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 4. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to the laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Urine
Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)-Specimen in viral transport medium is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL from a random urine collection
Collection Instructions: 1. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 2. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history. "
Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)-Specimen in viral transport medium is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of spinal fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 2. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Swab or Vesicle Fluid
Container/Tube: Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media
Specimen Volume: Swab or vesicle fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a refrigerated vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media and check outdate. 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Collect vesicular fluid from lesion via aspiration with a 26- or 27-gauge needle attached to a tuberculin syringe, and/or vigorously rub base of lesion with sterile swab provided. 4. Tightly cap vial. 5. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 6. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Tissue
Container/Tube: Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media
Specimen Volume: 0.5 g of tissue
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a refrigerated vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport media and check outdate. 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 4. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to the laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Urine
Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)-Specimen in viral transport medium is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL from a random urine collection
Collection Instructions: 1. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 2. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history. "
Other Acceptable Specimens
Acceptable Specimens for HSV: Swab and/or vesicle fluid, spinal fluid, tissue, or urine
Acceptable Specimens for VZV: Swab and/or tissue
Acceptable Specimens for VZV: Swab and/or tissue
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unacceptable Specimens: Bacterial culture swab or dry swab
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday
Reference Range
No virus isolated
Positives are reported as culture positive for HSV or VZV.
Positives are reported as culture positive for HSV or VZV.
Clinical Significance
Useful for the isolation and identification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from clinical specimens during primary infections or periods of viral reactivation.
Performed By
CoxHealth
