Microbiology
Rabies (Microscopic – Direct Fluorescent Antibody)
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Test Includes:
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Reporting
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Results Available:
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Contact #s: 512-458-7595
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Reference
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Method: Direct Fluorescent Antibody test
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Turnaround Time: 24-72 hours
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Reference Range: Negative by direct FA for rabies
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Limitations:
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Interpretation:
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Specimen Requirements
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Specimen Collection: Avoid damage to the brain: do not traumatize the head. Separate the animal head from the body immediately after death.
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Sample Type:
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Volume/Amount Required: Complete transverse section of brain stem and portions of the cerebellum or hippocampus.
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Preferred Specimen: Animal Head
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Collection/Preservation:
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Storage Instructions: 2-8°C (do not freeze)
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Causes for Rejection:
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Sample Container: See Rabies Specimen Shipping and Packing Instructions
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Sample Test Kit:
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Availability:
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Diagnostic Information: Whole animal carcasses are not accepted, except for bats and similar very small mammals.
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Specimen Submission
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Required Request Form: G-9
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Specimen Handling:
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Transport Temperature: 2-8°C (refrigerated), overnight
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Shipping Requirements: Notify the laboratory of the shipment by calling 1-800-252-8163.
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Billing
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CPT Code:
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Fees:
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Microbiology
Relapsing Fever (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
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| Test Includes: |
Reporting
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| Results Available: |
Contact #s: |
Reference
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| Method: |
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| Turnaround Time: 3 weeks |
Reference Range: <1.00 (Nonreactive) |
| Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. |
Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection. |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: Venipuncture |
Sample Type: Serum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood |
Preferred Specimen: Single Serum; Paired Sera |
| Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube |
Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C |
| Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing |
Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: |
| Diagnostic Information: The test procedure is used for investigational use and clinical history of the patient is required. Sera are forwarded to the CDC with prior approval (512) 458-7760. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2A |
Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature for specimens on the blood clot, separated serum at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or -20°C (frozen). |
Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8°C), or frozen (-20°C) and mailed on dry ice. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 86619 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Culture – Isolation)
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| Test Includes: Cell culture |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 2-14 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Cell Culture |
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| Turnaround Time: 2-14 days |
Reference Range: No virus isolated |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: A result of “No virus isolated” does not necessarily mean absence of a viral agent. The success of virus isolation depends a great deal on the submission of the proper specimen, collected at the right time, adequately maintained, and shipped with the least possible delay. |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection:Specimens should be collected at an appropriate anatomic site and at the proper time after infection because viruses are generally shed for only a short period of time. Refer to Specimen Collection by Type table for additional instructions. |
Sample Type: See preferred specimen |
| Volume/Amount Required: Swabs in 2-4 mLs of viral transport media. |
Preferred Specimen: Throat swab, NP swab, NP secretions |
| Collection/Preservation: Viral transport media. |
Storage Instructions: Maintain specimens at 2-8°C immediately after collection. Ship with the least possible delay. |
| Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. |
Sample Container: Sterile container |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday - Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Specimens are inoculated onto a variety of cell culture monolayers. If characteristic CPE is observed, confirmation of identification will be performed. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2V |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: 2-8°C, overnight |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 87252 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Culture – Identification)
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| Test Includes: Immunofluoresence |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 2-14 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Immunofluorescence |
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| Turnaround Time: 2-14 days |
Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: |
| Volume/Amount Required: If transporting on dry ice, send 1-2 mLs. |
Preferred Specimen: Cell culture isolate with CPE. |
| Collection/Preservation: |
Storage Instructions: Store at -70° C. |
| Causes for Rejection: |
Sample Container: Sterile cryovial. |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday - Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Identification based on immunofluorescence test using RSV-specific monoclonal antibody. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2V |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Frozen isolate: on dry ice |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 87253 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Rotavirus (Microscopic – Electron Microscopy)
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| Test Includes: Electron Microscopy |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 1-2 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Electron Microscopy |
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| Turnaround Time: 1-2 days |
Reference Range: No virus detected by electron microscopy. |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: Specimens should be collected at an appropriate anatomic site and at the proper time after infection because viruses are generally shed for only a short period of time. Refer to Specimen Collection by Type table for additional instructions. |
Sample Type: See preferred specimens. |
| Volume/Amount Required: 2-4g of stool |
Preferred Specimen: Feces |
| Collection/Preservation: Viral transport media |
Storage Instructions: Maintain specimens at 2-8°C immediately after collection, ship with the least possible delay. |
| Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. |
Sample Container: Sterile container |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday - Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Specimens are concentrated onto grids and stained with phosphotungstic acid to allow visualization of rotavirus particles. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2A |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: 2-8°C overnight |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 88348 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Rubella (Immune Status Only, for Maternal Child Health Clients) (Serological – Enzyme Immunoassay)
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| Test Includes: |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 1-2 days |
Contact #s: |
Reference
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| Method: EIA |
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| Turnaround Time: 1-2 days |
Reference Range: < 10 IU/mL (Nonreactive) |
| Limitations: May not detect a recent immunization or infection, or immune status in a person with a severely compromised immune system. |
Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection. |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: Venipuncture |
Sample Type: Serum |
| Volume/Amount Required: 2 mL Serum |
Preferred Specimen: Single Serum |
| Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube |
Storage Instructions: Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C |
| Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing |
Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Test performed daily |
| Diagnostic Information: Patient results equal to or greater than 10 IU/mL indicate either past exposure to rubella virus, or vaccination and probable protection from clinical infection. Antibody levels < 10 IU/mL may be insufficient to provide protection from rubella virus infection. Single specimens for immune status determination are accepted only from health units in the Rubella Screening Program and TDSHS employees. The test is performed daily. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2A |
Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions |
| Transport Temperature: Cold (2-8º C) on ice packs if received within 48 hours from time of collection. Frozen (=-20°) on dry ice if received more than 48 hours from time of collection. |
Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8°C), or frozen (-20°C) and mailed on dry ice. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 86762 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Rubella (Culture – Isolation)
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| Test Includes: Cell culture |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 7-21 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Cell Culture |
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| Turnaround Time: 7-21 days |
Reference Range: No virus isolated |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: A result of “No virus isolated” does not necessarily mean absence of a viral agent. The success of virus isolation depends a great deal on the submission of the proper specimen, collected at the right time, adequately maintained, and shipped with the least possible delay. |
Specimen Requirements
|
| Specimen Collection: Specimens should be collected at an appropriate anatomic site and at the proper time after infection because viruses are generally shed for only a short period of time. Refer to Specimen Collection by Type table for additional instructions. |
Sample Type: See preferred specimens. |
| Volume/Amount Required: 10-20 mLs of urine, respiratory specimens in 2-4 mLs of viral transport media, 2-5 mL of CSF |
Preferred Specimen: Urine; throat or nasopharyngeal swab; CSF |
| Collection/Preservation: |
Storage Instructions: Arriving < 48 hours after collection, store and send at 2-8° C. Arriving > 48 hours after collection, store and send at -70° C (dry ice). |
| Causes for Rejection: Specimens submitted on a preservative such as formalin. |
Sample Container: Sterile container |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday - Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: VERO cell monolayers are inoculated in addition to the variety of cell cultures routinely inoculated. Multiple passages may be required before a final result is available. Identification tests using rubella-specific monoclonal antibody are done at routine intervals during the isolation process. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2V |
Specimen Handling: |
Transport Temperature:
Arriving <48 hours: 2-8° C
Arriving >48 hours: send on dry ice |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 87252 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Rubella (Culture – Identification)
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| Test Includes: Immunofluorescence |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 7-21 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Immunofluorescence |
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| Turnaround Time: 7-21 days |
Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: |
| Volume/Amount Required: If transporting on dry ice, send 1-2 mLs. |
Preferred Specimen: Cell culture tube with CPE. |
| Collection/Preservation: |
Storage Instructions: Store isolate at -70° C. |
| Causes for Rejection: |
Sample Container: Cell culture tube or sterile cryovial. |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Monday - Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Identification is based on immunofluorescence test using rubella-specific monoclonal antibody. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2V |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Frozen isolate: on dry ice |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 87253 |
Fees: |
Microbiology
Rubeola (Measles) (Culture – Identification)
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| Test Includes: Immunofluorescence |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 10-14 days |
Contact #s: 512-458-7594 |
Reference
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| Method: Immunofluorescence |
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| Turnaround Time: 10-14 days |
Reference Range: By report |
| Limitations: |
Interpretation: |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: |
| Volume/Amount Required: Fill monolayer tube with media if transporting at ambient temperature. If transporting on dry ice, send 1-2 mLs. |
Preferred Specimen: Cell culture isolate with CPE. |
| Collection/Preservation: |
Storage Instructions: If shipment of isolate will be delayed, store at -70° C. |
| Causes for Rejection: |
Sample Container: Cell culture tube or sterile cryovial. |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: |
| Diagnostic Information: Identification is based on immunofluorescence test using rubeola-specific monoclonal antibody. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2V |
Specimen Handling: |
Transport Temperature:
Monolayer with CPE: ambient temperature
Frozen isolate: on dry ice. |
Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 86753 |
Fees: |