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Phone
512-776-7318
Fax
512-776-7294

Specimen Receiving

Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Phone: 512-776-7598

Microbiology Laboratory Tests: Mumps to Mycoplasmosis

Mycoplasmosis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing)

Microbiology
Mumps (Culture - Isolation)
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Test Includes: Cell culture

Reporting
Results Available: 2-14 days Contact #s: 512-458-7594

Reference
Method: Cell Culture  
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
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: 2-5 mL of CSF, 10-20 mL of urine, or saliva collected with swab in 2-3 mL of viral transport media. Preferred Specimen:  CSF; Urine; Saliva
Collection/Preservation: Viral transport media. 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 preservative such as formalin. Sample Container: Sterile container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday - Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Specimens are inoculated onto a variety of cell cultures.  If characteristic CPE or hemadsorption is observed, confirmation of identification will be performed.

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2V Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  
Arriving <48 hours:  2-8 °C (refrigerated)
Arriving >48 hours:  ship on dry ice  		 Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing
CPT Code: 87252 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
Microbiology
Mumps (Culture - Identification)
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Test Includes: Immunofluorescence

Reporting
Results Available: 2-14 days Contact #s:512-458-7594

Reference
Method: Immunofluorescence  
Turnaround Time:  2-14 days Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
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: If shipment of isolate will be delayed, 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 mumps-specific monoclonal antibody.

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2V Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Frozen isolate:  on dry ice Shipping Requirements: Ship specimens in compliance with governmental regulations.

Billing
CPT Code: 87253 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
Microbiology
Mumps (Serological – Enzyme Immunoassay for IgG)
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Test Includes:

Reporting
Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference
Method: EIA  
Turnaround Time:  5-7 days Reference Range:  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
Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: 2 mL Serum Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum; Paired Sera
Collection/Preservation: Samples that will be delivered to the laboratory within 8 hours of collection may be transported at room temperature in the original blood collection tube. If the samples are going to be shipped and will be delivered to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection, sera must be separated from the blood and shipped on cold packs, between 2° and 8°C. If the serum samples will not be delivered to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection at these temperatures, then the samples must be frozen at -20°C or lower and shipped on dry ice. Storage Instructions: Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C, or frozen at -20°C.
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing, specimens received with extended transit time, or received at incorrect temperature. Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Test is performed once per week
Diagnostic Information:  Acute and convalescent serum specimens are to be collected 14 days apart.  A significant EIA antibody rise is evidence of current or previous infection. Test is performed once per week.

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: 86735 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
Microbiology
Mycobacteriosis (Culture - Isolation)
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Test Includes: Isolation of mycobacteria and identification to species level.

Reporting
Results Available: Positive cultures 14-21 days or earlier; Negative cultures 43 days Contact #s: 512-458-7586 or
512-458-7318 ext 2687

Reference
Method: Primary identification test is mycolic acid analysis by high performance liquid chromatography
Turnaround Time:  Negatives held for six weeks Reference Range:  Negative
Limitations:  Delay in transport of specimen could compromise isolation of organism. Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type: Clinical Specimen
Volume/Amount Required: 3 mL to 15 mL Preferred Specimen:  Sputum; Tissue; Exudate; Urine; Stool; Blood; Body Fluids  
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.  Gastric specimens must be neutralized prior to transport.  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, must collect in Yellow-top vacutainer with SPS.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Tested 5/days: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information: Primary diagnostic specimens and isolates go to TDSHS Laboratory in Austin. Direct HPLC (presumptive identification only) performed on positive AFB smear initial diagnostic specimens. Nucleic acid amplification testing for M. tuberculosis complex may be performed on positive AFB smear initial pulmonary specimens if Direct HPLC testing is inconclusive. For more information telephone 512-458-7342

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:   Ambient Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet requirements of DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA for shipping of clinical specimens.

Billing
CPT Code: 87116 Fees:
Microbiology
Mycobacteriosis (Culture - Identification)
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Test Includes: Identification of isolate by mycolic acid analysis; biochemical testing and/or Accuprobe culture confirmation test performed as adjunct tests if necessary

Reporting
Results Available: 2-25 days Contact #s: 512-458-7586

Reference
Method: Primary identification test is mycolic acid analysis by high performance liquid chromatography.

Turnaround Time:  2-25 days

M. tuberculosis complex reports are telephoned to the submitter on previously undiagnosed patients.

 Reference Range:  By report
Limitations: 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:
Diagnostic Information:  Pure culture isolates submitted to this Laboratory for definitive identification and drug susceptibilities.  Molecular typing performed at regional center upon request. Definitive identification performed on positive isolates by HPLC or a combination of HPLC and biochemical testing or HPLC and genetic probe confirmation.  For more information telephone 512-458-7342

Specimen Submission
Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature:  Ambient 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: 87118 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
Microbiology
Mycobacteriosis (Culture – Susceptibility, Primary Drug Panel)
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Test Includes:  Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium by Indirect Drug Susceptibility Test

Reporting
Results Available: 10 days Contact #s: 512-458-7586

Reference
Method: BACTEC indirect drug susceptibility test system for M. tuberculosis complex. 
Agar proportion indirect drug susceptibility test system for M. kansasii
Turnaround Time: 10-28 days (28 days for confirmation of resistance). Reports of drug resistance are telephoned to the submitter. Reference Range:  Susceptible
Limitations: Test can only be performed on pure cultures of mycobacteria. Interpretation: Report states isolate is either susceptible or resistant to a specific drug at critical concentrations recommended by NCCLS.

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Sample Type:
Volume/Amount Required: Preferred Specimen:  Pure Culture or Isolate
Collection/Preservation: No preservative. Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container: Triple-contained.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Test is set up 5 days/week: Monday – Friday.  Test is run 7 days/week.
Diagnostic Information:  Pure culture isolates of M. tuberculosis complex or M. kansasii submitted to this Laboratory for drug susceptibilities. Isolates submitted for drug susceptibilities will be identified by this Laboratory. No fee will be charged for the identification test unless the AFB ID test is requested on form G-2B. Primary Panel for M. tuberculosis complex consists of Isoniazid, Ethambutol, or Rifampin testing by BACTEC susceptibility testing. Resistance to any of these drugs is confirmed by agar proportion method. If resistance to any of these drugs is detected, the Secondary Susceptibility Panel is performed. Primary Panel for M. kansasii consists of Rifampin testing by agar proportion method. For drug susceptibility testing of other Mycobacterium species, please telephone 512-458-7342.  Pure cultures of other Mycobacterium species 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:  Ambient 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: 87188 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
 
 
Microbiology
Mycobacteriosis (Culture – Isolation - Direct Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex)
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Test Includes: Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing of Clinical Specimens for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Reporting
Results Available: 48 hours Contact #s: 512-776-7342 or 512-776-7580

Reference
Method: Cepheid GeneXpert PCR test amplifies and detects DNA of M. tuberculosis complex
Turnaround Time: 48 hours from specimen receipt in this laboratory. Positive reports are communicated to the specimen submitter on day of testing. Reference Range:   Normal value = Negative
Limitations: Specimen must be sputum, induced or expectorated. AFB Smear and Culture always performed concurrently in this laboratory. A negative test does not mean the patient does not have M. tuberculosis disease.Test results must be confirmed by culture of specimen for the presence of mycobacteria. If a processed sputum sediment is submitted for NAAT only, the AFB culture must be in progress at the submitting laboratory site. Interpretation: A Positive result means that the DNA of the M. tuberculosis complex is detected. A Negative result means that the DNA of the M. tuberculosis complex was not detected. A Negative result does not rule out the possibility of the presence of viable M. tuberculosis complex in the specimen.

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection: Follow the Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission: Mycobacteriology (AFB) Collection, Transport, and Storage. Sample Type: Clinical
Volume/Amount Required: 3 mL to 15 mL Preferred Specimen:  Sputum or processed sputum sediment. For all other specimen types, please contact 512-776-7342 or 512-776-7580.
Collection/Preservation: No preservative Storage Instructions: Transport specimen as soon as possible. Diagnostic specimens should be shipped on cold pack overnight.
Causes for Rejection: Specimen leaked in transit. No identifier on specimen container. No test requested on G-MYCO requisition form.  Sample Container:Triple contained. Sterile, leak-proof, 50 mL conical tube preferred for primary container.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday through Friday
Diagnostic Information: There should be a high clinical suspicion of tuberculosis when ordering this test. NAA testing should be requested if the test results will make a difference to the patient’s treatment or if the test results will make a difference to the contact investigation. Patients should not have a laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis disease already.  

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-MYCO

  • For sputum specimens, check test “AFB Smear, Culture and Direct NAAT (Respiratory Diagnostic Specimens Only)”
  • For processed sputum sediments, check test “Direct NAAT for M. tuberculosis”
 Specimen Handling: Follow the Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission: Mycobacteriology (AFB) Collection, Transport, and Storage.
Transport Temperature: Cold shipment (not frozen) recommended. Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet requirements of DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA for shipping of clinical specimens. Please check with your courier of choice.

Billing
CPT Code: 87556 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule 
 

Microbiology
Mycoplasmosis (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:  <1:8 (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
Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type:
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:  Previous notification is requested (458-7760). A detailed patient history is required.  Single titers of >1:64 are indicative of recent infection. Titers of 1:8 to 1:32 may be indicative of either past or present infection. A four-fold or greater increase in titer between acute and convalescent specimens confirms the diagnosis.

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: 86738 Fees: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/laboratory-services/laboratory-fee-schedule