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    Laboratory Services Section
    MC 1947
    PO Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714-9347
    1100 W. 49th Street
    Austin, TX 78756-3199

    Phone: (512) 776-7318
    Fax: (512) 776-7294

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Microbiology Lab Tests - N

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Microbiolgy
Naegleria fowleri (Identification and Culture)  See also primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)
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Test Includes: Culture, microscopic examination

Reporting

Results Available: 3-10 days

Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: culture, microscopic examination

  

Turnaround Time:  3-10 days

Reference Range:   No parasites found

Limitations: organism must be viable

Interpretation:  No parasites found indicates that there were no visible parasites or viable parasites consistent with Naegleria detected in the specimen.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: CSF, tissue

Sample Type: CSF, tissue, corneal scrapings

Volume/Amount Required: 1-2 ml CSF, small piece of tissue

Preferred Specimen:  CSF, tissue, corneal scrapings

Collection/Preservation: Obtain the tissue or corneal scrapings aseptically.  CSF is collected by spinal tap.  Keep specimens at ambient temperature.

Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature, never frozen.  May be maintained at 4° C for < 24 hours.

Causes for Rejection: Insufficient specimen; frozen tissue.

Sample Container: sterile, leak-proof container

Sample Test Kit:

Availability: Monday-Friday
With prior notification: Saturday.

Diagnostic Information:  See primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B

Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions.

Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature

Shipping Requirements: Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87177

Fees:

 

Microbiolgy
Nocardiosis (Culture - Isolation)
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Test Includes:  Isolation of Nocardia species; Identification by biochemical and physiological tests to species level.

Reporting

Results Available: 28-35 days Contact #s:  512-458-7455 for prior approval
Technical questions:  512-458-7586

Reference

Method: Various biochemical and physiological tests for identification to species.
Turnaround Time:  28 days Reference Range:    Negative
Limitations: Certain species of Nocardia can only be identified fully with molecular analysis not available at TDSHS laboratory. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type: Clinical Specimen
Volume/Amount Required: 3 ml to 15 ml Preferred Specimen:  Tissue; Exudate; Sputum; Blood; Body Fluids; Spinal Fluid
Collection/Preservation: No preservative Storage Instructions: Transport specimen as soon as possible.  If transport is delayed over one hour, refrigerate specimen, unless blood.
Causes for Rejection:  Specimens received frozen, in formalin, or in culture medium will be rejected.  Swabs are discouraged unless the only specimen available; submit swabs in 5 ml sterile saline.  Blood specimens less than 5 ml are unacceptable.  Refrigerated blood specimens will be rejected. Sample Container: Triple-contained.  Sterile, leak-proof, 50 ml conical tube preferred for primary container. Add up to 10 ml sterile saline to tissue if needed to maintain moisture during transport.  If blood, prefer yellow-top with ACD; may also contain SPS.  Green-top is acceptable with lithium or heparin.
Sample Test Kit: Availability:  Testing available upon approval of Dr. Penfield.
Diagnostic Information:   Approval for this testing must be obtained prior to shipping by telephoning Dr. Susan Penfield at 512-458-7455.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature: Ambient acceptable but 2-8º C preferred for non-sterile specimens. Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet requirements of DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA for shipping of clinical specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87070 Fees:


Microbiolgy
Nocardiosis (Culture - Identification)
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Test Includes:  Various biochemical and physiological tests for identification to species level.

Reporting

Results Available: 21-28 days Contact #s: 512-458-7586

Reference

Method: Biochemical and physiological testing for identification
Turnaround Time:  21-28 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Certain species of Nocardia can only be identified fully with molecular analysis not available at TDSHS laboratory. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Pure Culture
Collection/Preservation: No preservative. Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container: Triple-contained
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Test run 5 days/week: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Pure cultures submitted to this Laboratory for definitive identifications.   Drug susceptibility testing on these organisms not available at TDSHS. Isolates may be forwarded by TDSHS laboratory to other reference laboratories for susceptibility testing.  A handling fee may be charged.  Testing at other reference laboratories is subject to fees charged by those laboratories.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Room temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet rigorous performance tests as outlined in the DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA regulations for shipping of infectious substances.

Billing

CPT Code: 87077 Fees:


Microbiolgy
Nosocomial Infections
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Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  7-21 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Pure cultures safely contained.
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container:
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Molecular epidemiology techniques available for hospital and similar institutional outbreaks.  Contact Laboratory for collection and shipping instructions.  Environmental specimens from infection control programs are not accepted.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Ambient (Room) temperature Shipping Requirements:

Billing

CPT Code: Fees:
Last updated September 15, 2010