Influenza A and B Culture, Rapid Method [35945X]

Test Code

INFCV

CPT Codes
87254 (x2)

Preferred Specimen

3 mL throat swab or 3 mL nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

To maintain optimum viability, place swab or fluid into VCM tube (equal volumes of fluid and media) or FDA approved equivalent viral transport media 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 transport media should be frozen at -70° C or colder and transported on dry ice. Storage or transport at -20° C is not acceptable. Raw (unpreserved) specimens should only be refrigerated and not frozen.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

VCM or M4 Transport
Medium
Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 4 days

Frozen -70°C: 30 days

Leak-proof Container
Room temperature:
Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 3 days

Frozen -70°C: Unacceptable

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

Throats on < 2 year old patients • Received in
nonviral transport medium such as nucleic acid or bacterial
transport medium • Nonrespiratory specimens
• Dry swabs • Received in formalin or other
fixatives • Received at room temperature or frozen
-20ºC

Methodology

Centrifugation-Enhanced Culture with Immunofluorescence

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 5 days

Report Available

Set up: Daily; Report available: 5 days

Reference Range

Not isolated

Clinical Significance

Influenza viruses are common human respiratory pathogens and a major cause of widespread epidemics. Infection rates usually peak during the fall, winter and spring. Rapid detection of influenza provides a basis for treating individuals with antiviral drugs and for managing outbreaks in the general population by providing vaccinations.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: February 20, 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.