Viral & CMV Culture - Respiratory
Label Mnemonic: VCMV
Epic code: LAB7553
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
BAL, Nasopharyngeal Aspirate, Swab, or Washing, or Tracheal Aspirate, Sputum, Throat, Tissue (lung, etc.)
Specimen Instructions:
Do not freeze. Transfer specimen to transport media as soon as possible after collection; available in Hospital Stores #33595 for nasopharyngeal aspirate washing or #33625, #923740 for viral transport kit. Deliver on ice.
Collection Medium:
or
Swab Kit Straight HSV--VZV/Viral Culture 3.0 mL Chlamydia/Viral Transport Kit
Minimum:
Specimen source preferred
Nasopharyngeal washing/aspirate, or tracheal aspirate in sterile, leak- proof container.

Eye swab, nasopharyngeal swab, throat swab, or tissue in viral transport media.

Place each specimen in a separate, individually sealed bag.
Rejection Criteria:
Calcium alginate, eSwab, dry, or wood swabs.
Turn Around Time:
Viral Culture: 3-16 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Cytomegalovirus Rapid Culture: 1-5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
Negative
Comments:
The following tests are standard of care for diagnosing viral infection in CSF specimens:
Cytomegalovirus by PCR
Enterovirus Detection by RT-PCR
Herpes Simplex Virus by PCR
Varicella-Zoster Virus by PCR.

The viruses that can be isolated include: enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus, influenza A & B, parainfluenza types 1, 2, 3, adenovirus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and RSV. However, virus specific tests are recommended and are available in house. See Respiratory Virus PCR, LAB7366 for varicella-zoster virus.
Methodology:
Cell Culture/Immunofluorescence
CPT Code:
87252 Tissue Culture; 87254 Shell vial. If definitive identification required, add 87253.