Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Antigen, DFA

RSVAG

5291

3 mL of nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash or nasopharyngeal swab collected in VCM medium or equivalent

1 mL

Bronchial lavage/wash collected in VCM medium or equivalent

To maintain optimum viability, place swab or fluid into VCM (equal volumes of fluid 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.

VCM medium or equivalent

Refrigerated (cold packs)

VCM medium or equivalent
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C: 30 days

Received in non-viral transport medium such as nucleic acid or bacterial transport media • Non-respiratory specimens • Dry swabs • Received in formalin or other fixatives • Nasal smear • Sputum • Throat swabs • Unpreserved samples

Day shift Mon-Sat

1 day

See Laboratory Report

Respiratory viruses are responsible for a significant proportion of illness in human populations. Diagnosis may facilitate appropriate selection of specific antiviral drug therapy, prevent inappropriate use of antibiotics and guide patient management decisions.