Culture, RSV, Rapid

Test Code

RSVCX

Quest Code

15059

CPT Codes
87254

Preferred Specimen

2 mL of nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash or swab in V-C-M (Viral/Chlamydial/Mycoplasma) transport medium or equivalent

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Bronchial washes or bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) in sterile container or in V-C-M (Viral/Chlamydial/Mycoplasma) transport medium or equivalent

Instructions

Nasopharyngeal/throat swabs should be submitted from patients >2 years old

Transport Container

Swabs or aspirates in V-C-M (Viral/Chlamydial/Mycoplasma) transport medium (blue or red label) or equivalent, and aspirates/washings in sterile container

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

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

Throat swab on patient <2 years of age • Dry swabs • Formalin or other fixatives • Any specimen in nucleic acid transport systems • Non-respiratory sites • Whole blood • Serum • Plasma • Frozen specimens • Specimens submitted at room temperature

Methodology
Centrifugation enhanced culture using R-mix cell line

Setup Schedule

Nights Monday-friday

Report Available

3 days

Clinical Significance

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is considered the single most important virus affecting infants and young adults, causing acute lower respiratory tract illness; Mainly brochiolitis and pneumonia. Adults are susceptible to infection but usually experience mild respiratory tract illness. Elderly patients may suffer severe lower respiratory tract disease.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics LLC

200 Forest Street, 3rd Floor, Suite B

Marlborough, MA 01752-3023

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.