| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Routine Viral Screen
Test CodeRVS
CPT Codes
87254 x 6; 87300 x 2
Preferred Specimen
Sputum, Throat, Nose, Bronchial, Lung, Fluid (Pleural, Paracentesis, Thoracentesis) and Lymphatic biopsy/tissue.
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Instructions
Swab collections should be placed in viral transport media. Viral transport media is not necessary for sterile body fluids if volume is sufficient for culture.
Transport Container
M4RT Viral Transport Media or Sterile body fluid in Sterile Container
Transport Temperature
RT up to 2 hrs then 2-8 C
Specimen Stability
2-8 C 72 h or frozen at -70 C.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improperly labelled; Improper storage/transport
Methodology
Immunofluorescence assay (IFA); Centrifuge enhanced tissue culture
Setup Schedule
Daily upon receipt
Report Available
Upon COmpletion of Analysis
Reference Range
No Virus Detected
Clinical Significance
Diagnosis facilitates appropriate selection of antiviral drug therapy, such as amantadine for influenza A and ribavirin for RSV1, and prevents inappropriate use of antibiotics and subsequent development of resistant strains of bacteria. Often patients will present with symptoms characteristic of several different infections and several tests will have to be ordered to determine the infectious agent.