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Varicella-Zoster Virus Direct Fluorescent Antibody Detection (DFA) and Culture (VZV-DFA/Culture)
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
434
CPT Codes
87252-Virus identification, tissue culture inoculation and observation; 87254-Virus centrifuge enhanced technique
Preferred Specimen
Acceptable Specimens for VZV: Swab, vesicular fluid, or tissue
Swab or Vesicular Fluid
Container/Tube: Viral transport media
Specimen Volume: Swab or vesicular fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a vial of viral transport media and check outdate. (media is available from Cox Virology or Microbiology laboratories) 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. Place vesicle fluid or swab in vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport medium. 5. Tightly cap vial. 6. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 7. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimen 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: Viral transport media
Specimen Volume: Tissue
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a vial of viral transport media and check outdate. (media is available from Cox Virology or Microbiology laboratories) 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Submit at least 0.5 g of specimen in viral transport medium. 4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 5. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimen must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Swab or Vesicular Fluid
Container/Tube: Viral transport media
Specimen Volume: Swab or vesicular fluid
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a vial of viral transport media and check outdate. (media is available from Cox Virology or Microbiology laboratories) 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. Place vesicle fluid or swab in vial of Remel MicroTest M4RT transport medium. 5. Tightly cap vial. 6. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 7. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimen 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: Viral transport media
Specimen Volume: Tissue
Collection Instructions: 1. Select a vial of viral transport media and check outdate. (media is available from Cox Virology or Microbiology laboratories) 2. Do not clean suspected area with 70% ethanol. 3. Submit at least 0.5 g of specimen in viral transport medium. 4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 5. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimen must be transported to laboratory without delay on wet ice.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Include a brief clinical history.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unacceptable Specimens: Bacterial culture swab, dry swab, dry tissue not collected into viral transport media
Methodology
Direct Flourescent Antibody and/or Culture
Setup Schedule
Monday through Saturday
Reference Range
Negative results reported as: Negative by DFA at 48 hours No Virus Isolated
Positive results reported as: Positive for VZV by DFA and/or Culture positive for varicella zoster virus
Positive results reported as: Positive for VZV by DFA and/or Culture positive for varicella zoster virus
Clinical Significance
Useful for the identification of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from clinical specimens during primary infections or periods of viral reactivation via 49 hour shell vial amplification/fluorescent stain and culture (negative cultures held a minimum of 21 days)
Performed By
CoxHealth
