Microbiology Laboratory Tests: Farmer's Lung to Hantavirus

Microbiology
Farmer’s Lung (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)

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Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  Negative
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum
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:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760. A detailed patient history is required. Serum specimens are forwarded to the CDC.  Antigens include Micropolyspora faenj, Thermactinomyces candidas, and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris.  Precipitin bands are presumptive evidence for actinomycotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.  There are false-positive reactions. Specimens must be submitted with a complete medical history.

Specimen Submission

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

CPT Code: 86671 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Fasciolopsis (Microscopic – Direct Concentration)

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Test Includes: Microscopic Examination

Reporting

Results Available: 1 day Contact #s: (512) 458-7650

Reference

Method: Microscopic examination  
Turnaround Time:  24 hours Reference Range: No parasites found
Limitations:  Specimen must be collected and placed in formalin to preserve the parasites. Adult flukes may be placed in ethyl alcohol. Interpretation: Negative report indicative of no visible parasites found in the specimen.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Fresh feces, Tissue Sample Type: Feces; Fluke ID; Tissue Section
Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL liquid stool, 
15 g stool
Preferred Specimen:  Feces; Fluke ID; Tissue Section
Collection/Preservation: Collect stool and place in formalin preservative. Ambient temperature. Adult flukes should be placed in ethyl alcohol. Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection:  Unpreserved stool > 5 hours old. Sample Container: Leak-proof container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be sent in formalin. Adult flukes must be sent in ethyl alcohol.  Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature. Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87015 Fees:

 


Microbiology
Gonorrhea Culture (Identification)

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Test Includes: Conventional biochemicals; susceptibility testing [for epidemiological purposes only]; Beta-lactamase.

Reporting

Results Available: 5-7 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7582

Reference

Method: Conventional biochemicals; susceptibility testing [for epidemiological purposes only]; Beta-lactamase.
Turnaround Time:  5-7 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Organism must be viable.   Interpretation: Identification of N. gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted disease reportable to the Department of State Health Services HIV/STD section.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: See Gonorrhea Culture (Isolation) Sample Type: Pure culture.
Volume/Amount Required: One specimen per patient Preferred Specimen:  Pure Culture on appropriate media.
Collection/Preservation: Keep at atmospheric conditions favorable for the growth of N. gonorrhoeae. Storage Instructions: Store at appropriate atmospheric conditions.
Causes for Rejection: No identifying marks on sample and/or paperwork, broken in transport Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube or agar plate in saf-t-pak transport
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Tested Monday – Friday
Diagnostic Information:Neisseria gonorrhoeae has growth requirements, which include 3-6% CO2 and appropriate media such as Thayer-Martin or Chocolate agar.  Refrigeration of N. gonorrhoeae is NOT recommended.   Overnight shipment is recommended. In the event of a suspected Sexual Abuse issue, please ensure that culture is submitted utilizing a chain of custody procedure. 

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Handle as an infectious agent. Take care to prevent transfer of organism to conjuctiva.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient  temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents.

Billing

CPT Code: 87077 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Gonorrhea (Culture – Genetic Probe)

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Test Includes: GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay

Reporting

Results Available: 2-3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7657

Reference

Method: GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay
Turnaround Time:  2-3 days   Reference Range:  Negative for Neisseria gonorrhoea
Limitations: Results dependent on adequacy of sampling. Refer to package insert of the appropriate GEN-PROBE specimen collection kit. The APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay is not intended for the evaluation of suspected sexual abuse or for other medico-legal indications. Interpretation: Negative results indicate that the patient does not have detectable amounts of N. gonorrhoeae rRNA.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Only specimens collected in APTIMA ®collection kits can be processed for testing. There are three kits we use for our testing;
APTIMA® Urine Specimen Collection Kit for Male and Female Urine Specimens
APTIMA® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit for Endocervical and Male Urethral Swab Specimens
APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimens kit
Sample Type: Female urine, vaginal and endocervical swab. Male urine and urethral swab.
Volume/Amount Required: Refer to package insert of APTIMA® Specimen Collection Kit for detailed directions. Preferred Specimen:  Urine (Male or Female);
Female Endocervical Swab;
Female Vaginal Swab;
Male Urethral Swab
Collection/Preservation: Only swabs contained in the GEN-PROBE® APTIMA®specimen collection kit can be used to collect patient specimens. Storage Instructions: Store at ambient temperature.
Causes for Rejection: Wrong name on collection tube, two swabs in tube, no swab on tube, a cleaning swab or a swab not supplied by GEN-PROBE. Urine must fall between the two black indicator lines on the tube label. Sample Container: APTIMA® Urine Specimen Collection Kit for Male and Female Urine Specimens,swabs
APTIMA® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit for Endocervical and Male Urethral Swab Specimens and APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimens
Sample Test Kit: GEN-PROBE APTIMA 2 COMBO ASSAY Availability: Tested Monday – Friday.
Diagnostic Information:  GEN-PROBE APTIMA COMBO 2® Assay is available only to those in STD and Family Planning Programs and to adolescent THSteps (EPSDT) patients for whom collectors are provided. Specimen requirements: Female urine, vaginal swab, or endocervical swab and male urine and urethral swabs using the appropriate GEN-PROBE® APTIMA®Specimen Collection Kit. Only swabs contained in the GEN-PROBE® APTIMA® specimen collection kit can be used to collect patient specimens. See Chlamydia (Genetic Probe).

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B, G-THSTEPS for THSteps Medicaid Specimen Handling: body fluid handled with universal precautions
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature (2°-30°C) Shipping Requirements: In accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens, noninfectious.

Billing

CPT Code: 87591 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Haemophilus species Culture (Identification)

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Test Includes: Conventional biochemicals, serotyping

Reporting

Results Available: 5-7 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7582

Reference

Method: Conventional biochemicals, serotyping.  
Turnaround Time:  5-7 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Organism must be viable. Haemophilus species have special growth requirements that must be supplied in order for viability. Interpretation:  By report

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type: Pure culture.
Volume/Amount Required: One specimen per patient.  Preferred Specimen:  Pure Culture on appropriate media.
Collection/Preservation: Organism must be kept at appropriate atmospheric conditions to be viable for testing. Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature, appropriate atmospheric conditions.
Causes for Rejection: Broken in transport, expired transport media. Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube, or agar plate in transport with appropriate atmospheric conditions.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Tested Monday – Friday.
Diagnostic Information:  See Aerobic Bacterial Culture (Isolation)

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Infectious agents, biosafety level 2.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient  temperature < 48 hours Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents.

Billing

CPT Code: 87077 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Haemophilus species Culture (Typing H. influenzae only)

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Test Includes: Serological testing

Reporting

Results Available:  5-7 days. Contact #s:  (512) 458-7582

Reference

Method: Slide agglutination test  
Turnaround Time: 5-7 days Reference Range:  By report  
Limitations: Organism must be confirmed as biochemically H. influenzae for culture typing to be valid test result. Organism must be viable for culture typing. Interpretation:  By report  

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Sample Type:  Pure culture.
Volume/Amount Required: One specimen per patient. Preferred Specimen:  Pure culture on appropriate media.
Collection/Preservation: Organism must be kept at appropriate atmospheric conditions. Storage Instructions:  Ambient temperature, appropriate atmospheric conditions.
Causes for Rejection: No identifying marks on sample and/or paperwork. Sample Container: Agar slant in screw cap tube, or agar plate in transport with appropriate atmospheric conditions.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Tested Monday – Friday.
Diagnostic Information:H. influenzae strains are typed only when from sterile sources. H. influenzae strains from critical sources are sent to the CDC if untypeable. At present, all H. influenzae isolated from > 5 years of age are submitted to the CDC for special studies.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Infectious agent, Biosafety level 2
Transport Temperature:  5-7 days Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents.

Billing

CPT Code: 87077 Fees:

 

Microbiology
Hantavirus (Serological – Enzyme Immunoassay)

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Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  5-7 days Reference Range:  <1.00
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

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 by request
Diagnostic Information:  Sin nombre hantavirus is a major cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe and often fatal form of adult respiratory distress. Sera are tested for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies specific for Sin Nombre virus.  Recent infection is indicated by the presence of IgM antibody. Further investigation can be done on tissue specimens or specimens from rodents at the CDC.

Specimen Submission

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

CPT Code: 86790 Fees: