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HelpTest Code INFCV Influenza A and B Culture, Rapid Method [35945X]
Specimen Required
3 mL throat swab or 3 mL nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability
VCM or M4 Transport
Medium
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen -70°C: 30 days
Leak-proof Container
Room temperature:
Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen -70°C: Unacceptable
Rejection Due To
Throats on < 2 year old patients • Received in nonviral transport medium such as nucleic acid or bacterial transport medium • Nonrespiratory specimens • Dry swabs • Received in formalin or other fixatives • Received at room temperature or frozen -20ºC
Report Available
Set up: Daily; Report available: 5 days
Method Name
Centrifugation-Enhanced Culture with Immunofluorescence
Collection Container / Tube
Preferred: VCM Transport Medium
Other Acceptable Container: Sterile, leak proof container
Transport / Storage Conditions
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Special Instructions
To maintain optimum viability, place swab or fluid into VCM (equal volumes of fluid and VCM) or equivalent and transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. Best recovery is obtained when the specimens are refrigerated 2-8ºC 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 -70ºC or colder and transported on dry ice. Storage or transport -20ºC is not acceptable. Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.
Reference Values
Not isolated
Day(s) Performed
Set up: Daily; Report available: 5 days
CPT Codes
87254 (x2)
Clinical Reference
Influenza viruses are common human respiratory pathogens and a major cause of widespread epidemics. Infection rates usually peak during the fall, winter and spring. Rapid detection of influenza provides a basis for treating individuals with antiviral drugs and for managing outbreaks in the general population by providing vaccinations.