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Herpes Simplex Virus Culture [2692X]
Test Code841
CPT Codes
87255
Preferred Specimen
Nasal/nasopharyngeal, throat, eye, lesion (vesicle), endocervical, urethral, vaginal, or rectal mucosal swab transported in VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media, or
3 mL bronchial lavage/wash (BAL), nasopharyngeal lavage/ wash, lesion (vesicle) aspirate in equal volume of VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media or sterile container, or
Minimum: 1 gram or 2 mm tissue/biopsy transported in equal volume of VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media or sterile container
3 mL bronchial lavage/wash (BAL), nasopharyngeal lavage/ wash, lesion (vesicle) aspirate in equal volume of VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media or sterile container, or
Minimum: 1 gram or 2 mm tissue/biopsy transported in equal volume of VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media or sterile container
Minimum Volume
1 mL bronchial lavage/wash (BAL), nasopharyngeal lavage/ wash, lesion (vesicle) aspirate
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).
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 or equivalent
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C: 30 days
Raw (unpreserved) specimen
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C: 30 days
Raw (unpreserved) specimen
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
Setup Schedule
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.
