| 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 # |
Herpes Simplex Virus Culture (HERC)
Test CodeLAB2533
Quest Code
2692
Alias/See Also
HERC
CPT Codes
87255
Preferred Specimen
Nasal/nasopharyngeal swab, endocervical swab, eye swab or lesion (vesicle) aspirate swab, urethral swab, vaginal swab, rectal mucosa swab (without feces) or throat swab collected in V-C-M (green-cap) tube or equivalent
Minimum Volume
1 swab • 1 mL fluid • 1 g or 2mm
Other Acceptable Specimens
Multiple site swabs from newborns (rectal, mouth, eye, nasal, skin)
Instructions
To maintain optimum viability, place swab into VCM (equal volumes of fluid/tissue 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.
Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.
Note: PCR is the preferred test for CSF or eye fluid (preferred specimen: 1 mL CSF or eye fluid submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container without transport media).
Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.
Note: PCR is the preferred test for CSF or eye fluid (preferred specimen: 1 mL CSF or eye fluid submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container without transport media).
Transport Container
VCM tube or other FDA approved equivalent viral transport media or Sterile container
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
VCM or equivalent
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C or below: 30 days
Raw (unpreserved) specimen
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C or below: 30 days
Raw (unpreserved) specimen
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
CSF • Eye fluid • Bacterial transport systems • Dry swab • Molecular transport systems • Semen • Single swab with multiple collection sites and age is not newborn • Slides • Specimens in formalin or other fixatives • Sputum • Stool specimens • Wooden-shaft swabs • Calcium alginate swabs
Methodology
Centrifuge Enhanced Culture
Setup Schedule
7: 00 AM Monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, and sunday
Report Available
9 days updated 2/26/96 atgg01
Clinical Significance
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is responsible for several clinically significant human viral diseases, with severity ranging from mild to fatal. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 infection are usually found above the waist. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 infections are more commonly seen in association with the genitalia, and surrounding areas, and are usually sexually transmitted. It is important to note however, that both Herpes Simplex types 1 and 2 have been involved in all disease manifestations and locations of the body, following introduction of the virus through broken skin or mucous membranes.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics - South Region |
