Viral & CMV Culture - Non-Respiratory
Label Mnemonic: VCMVU
Epic code: LAB7551
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Urine, Eye Swab, Lesion, Tissue (brain, colon, kidney, liver, etc.),
Specimen Instructions:
Do not freeze. Transfer specimen to transport media as soon as possible after collection; available in Hospital Stores #33625. Deliver on ice.
Collection Medium:
or
Urine Swab Kit Straight HSV--VZV/Viral Culture 3.0 mL
Minimum:
Specimen source preferred
2 mL urine in sterile leak-proof container.

Other accepted samples are eye swab, lesion, tissue (brain, colon, kidney, liver, etc.).

Place each specimen in a separate, individually sealed bag.
Rejection Criteria:
Calcium alginate, eSwab, dry, or wood swabs. Specimens may be rejected by the reference laboratory if they exceed stability requirements.
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.
Methodology:
Cell Culture/Immunofluorescence
CPT Code:
87252 Tissue Culture; 87254 Shell vial. If definitive identification required, add 87253.