Unit Code 50014:
Viral Culture, Respiratory
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing viral infections
Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
| • | Virology |
| • | Microbiology Source Codes |
| • | Possible Add-on Tests for Microbiology Testing Performed at Mayo Medical Laboratories |
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
All routine viral cultures are inoculated into cell culture
tubes for viral detection. Most common specimens received
for routine testing include bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum,
and throat. A rapid (16-hour incubation) shell vial cell
culture assay will be inoculated when specimens are
designated for herpes simplex virus or cytomegalovirus
detection or as appropriate for source indicated.
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Viral Culture, Respiratory
Ordering Mnemonic An alternate Mayo code (to the Unit Code) for a test
VRESP2
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Adenovirus
CMV (Cytomegalovirus)
Culture for virus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Enterovirus
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Herpes 1 and 2 (culture)
Herpes simplex virus
HSV
Influenza virus
Mumps virus
Parainfluenza virus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Mumps Testing
Swab specimen for mumps must clearly indicate "MUMPS"
on request form in order to ensure proper handling and test
setup.
Note: Oral specimen is not acceptable for viral culture
(unless parotid gland, secretion, or client requests enterovirus).
Bronchoalveolar Lavage or Sputum
1 mL of bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum. Send specimen
refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile container. Specimen
cannot be frozen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
See "Virology" in Special Instructions for appropriate specimen selection
and transportation.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for
processing.
2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the
specimen. If not ordering electronically, please complete
and submit a "Microbiology Request Form" (Supply T244)
with the specimen
Throat Swab
Swab area with a BBL CultureSwab (Supply T092), and place the swab back
into the cylinder. Alternatively, swab area with a sterile, Dacron-tipped
swab with a plastic handle (Supply T507). (Swab with a wood handle
has been shown to be toxic to some viruses and is not acceptable
for culture). Place swab back into multimicrobe medium (M5)
(Supply T484) and send specimen refrigerated.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
See "Virology" in Special Instructions for appropriate specimen selection
and transportation.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for
processing.
2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the
specimen. If not ordering electronically, please complete
and submit a "Microbiology Request Form" (Supply T244)
with the specimen.
Tissue (Lung and Others)
Send tissue refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile container
containing 1 mL to 2 mL sterile saline or M5 (Supply T484). Specimen
cannot be frozen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
See "Virology" in Special Instructions for appropriate specimen selection
and transportation.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for
processing.
2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the
specimen. If not ordering electronically, please complete
and submit a "Microbiology Request Form" (Supply T244)
with the specimen.
Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
NA
The amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Transport Temperature Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) and unacceptable transport temperature(s) are also included. The preferred transport temperature is listed first, followed by the alternate acceptable temperature (if appropriate) and lastly, the unacceptable transport temperature(s).
Refrig\Frozen NO\Ambient NO
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
Hemolysis: N/A
Lipemia: N/A
Icteric:
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Viruses are responsible for a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms
and diseases. The most commonly isolated viruses are adenovirus,
cytomegalovirus (CMV), enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV),
influenza virus, parainfluenza virus (types 1-3), respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Many viral infections can now be treated with antiviral drugs. Early
laboratory diagnosis by isolation is very helpful in the medical
management of these patients.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
If positive, virus is identified.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive result indicates that virus was present in the specimen
submitted. Clinical correlation is necessary to determine the
significance of this finding.
Influenza virus infection is a state-mandated reportable disease.
Negative results may be seen in a number of situations including
absence of viral disease, inability of the virus to grow in culture
(examples of organisms not detected by culture include Epstein-
Barr virus [EBV], rubella virus, and papilloma virus), and nonviable
organisms submitted. Parainfluenza virus type 4 may also not be
detected by viral culture.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Viral isolation depends on the proper collection and transport of
the specimen for maximal detection of viruses in the laboratory.
This test is not useful for viruses that cannot be grown in
cell culture (see "Interpretation").
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Smith TF: Antibody-enhanced detection of viruses in cell cultures.
In Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. 5th edition. Edited by
NR Rose, EC de Marcio, JD Folds, et al. Washington, DC, ASM Press,
1997, pp 618-624
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Specimens are inoculated into conventional tube cell cultures
(MRC-5, Hep-2, and RMK) and observed for the presence of cytopathic
effects (CPE) over a 9 to 14 day period. Results of viral cultures are
reported when typical CPE are detected and the identity of the
isolate has been confirmed by immunofluorescence with specific
antisera. (Smith TF: Antibody-enhanced detection of viruses in
cell cultures. In Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology.
5th edition. Edited by NR Rose, EC de Macario, JD Folds, et al.
Washington, DC, ASM Press, 1997, pp 618-624)
The shell-vial assay is also performed on specimens submitted for
CMV or HSV. Shell-vial results may be positive within 16 to 24 hours
postinoculation. (Paya CV, Wold AD, Smith TF: Detection of
cytomegalovirus infections in specimens other than urine by the
shell vial assay and conventional tube cell cultures. J Clin Microbiol
1987;25:755-757)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Varies
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
14 days
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
15 days
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Until reported
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
List Fee Provides the Mayo Medical Laboratories list fee for performing the test
$271.00
Additional charges and CPT codes may be added. See "Possible
Add-On Tests for Microbiology Testing Performed at Mayo Medical
Laboratories" in Special Instructions.
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each unit code or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87252-Tissue culture inoculation
87176-Homogenization, tissue (if appropriate)
87254-Shell vial, includes identification with immunofluorescence stain (if appropriate)
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