Specimen:

Various

Collection Medium:

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Comments:

Acceptable specimens:  swabs of cervical, genital, rectal, and oral 
lesions, tissue, BAL, respiratory secretions, body fluid.  HSV culture 
will NOT be performed on CSF specimens.  CSF specimens will have HSVPCR 
performed by the Molecular Pathology Department.

For lesions, expose the base of the lesion by lifting the cap of the 
vesicle or ulcer.  Using swab from Regular flocked swab collection kit 
(33625), swab the entire base of the lesion firmly to collect cellular 
material (without causing bleeding).  Place swab in viral transport 
media.  Collect bronchoalveolar lavage or tracheal aspirate in sterile, 
leak-proof container or viral transport media (33595).  Collect 
specimens from normally sterile sites in sterile container.

Transport the specimen to the Microbiology Laboratory (6004 BT) 
immediately on ice or refrigerate.  From 2245 to 0700, deliver specimen 
to Specimen Control (6240 RCP) on ice.

Cultures are held for 7 days.

Methodology:

Shell vial culture

Sample
Processing:

Immediately place specimen into vial of transport media and seal 
tightly.
Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Submit in sterile transport container.
Submit in leakproof container.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Specimen cannot be frozen.

Transport
Instructions:

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place coolant packs into styrofoam container.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

CPT Code:

87252

See also:
Viral Culture