SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B RT-PCR (only available at WSLH request or DHS request) !!! NOTE: The contents are valid only for: 02/12/2025 !!!
| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | VR01756 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Monday-Friday |
| Turn-around Time: | 1-2 business days from receipt at WSLH |
| Recommended Uses: | Only available at WSLH request or DHS request. Respiratory disease surveillance according to WSLH surveillance requests and determining the etiology of outbreaks at DHS request |
| Pre-approval: | N |
| Contraindications: | |
| Additional Tests Performed: | |
| Preparation for Collection: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Recommended: Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab (Dacron-tipped with a plastic or aluminum shaft) in viral transport media (VTM). If VTM is unavailable, you may substitute with UTM, or RNAse free saline/PBS. Others accepted: Upper or lower respiratory specimens including oropharyngeal swabs in VTM, nasal swabs in VTM, sputum, lower respiratory tract aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate and nasal aspirate. 1 mL minimum volume for testing |
| Collection Instructions: | See instructions provided with the Viral Specimens collection kit. |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
Viral Specimens
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| Requisition Form: |
Specific forms available from WSLH depending on surveillance or outbreak use.
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| Required Information: | Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Samples stored at 4 degrees C for >9 days, cotton swabs, swabs with wooden shafts, swabs without approved transport medium |
| Specimen Handling: | Store specimens refrigerated (2-8 degrees C) and transport with chilled cool pack. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 9 days of collection. If testing is needed >9 days after collection, freeze (-70C) samples within 72 hours from collection and ship on dry ice. Ship as Category B |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Results Include: | Influenza A RNA Detected, Influenza B RNA detected, SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detected, No Influenza A RNA detected, No Influenza B RNA detected, No SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected, Inconclusive, Invalid |
| Limitations: | Negative results do not preclude influenza or SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions. A false negative result may occur if a specimen is improperly collected, transported or handled. False negative results may also occur if amplification inhibitors are present in the specimen or if inadequate numbers of organisms are present in the specimen. Detection of viral RNA may not indicate the presence of infectious virus or that influenza or SARS-CoV-2 viruses are the causative agent for clinical symptoms. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | Respiratory pathogen panel |
| Additional Comments: | |
| Methodology: | Real-Time PCR |
| Includes: | Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B |
| Regulatory Compliance: | |
| CPT Code: | 87636 |
| Price: | Fee-Exempt |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | N |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |