HERPES CULTURE
Specimen Required
Alternate Specimen
Rejection Criteria
Methodology
Stability
Reference Range
Performed
| Swab specimens in viral transport medium. 3.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum). | |||
| Biopsy/tissue specimens in saline or viral transport medium (Snap frozen -20°C). | |||
| EDTA Plasma - (lavender top tube), 2.0 mL of separated plasma (1.0 mL minimum). |
Alternate Specimen
| The Laboratory Director or Supervisor must approve testing of specimens other than those listed above. |
Rejection Criteria
| The following specimen types will not be tested: CSF or body fluids; CNS tissue; Urine; Stool; Whole blood or serum; Specimens in proprietary PCR transport media; Specimens in bacterial transport media, Stewart medium (Culturette), gel, or charcoal transports; Specimens in bacteriological blood culture media; Dry swabs, wooden swabs, calcium alginate swabs; Tissues received in transport media that has not been frozen (-20°C); Frozen specimens (except tissues); Specimens received in non-sterile or leaking containers. |
Methodology
| Standard tube culture with monoclonal antibody staining of CPE-positive cultures. This method can isolate and differentiate herpes type 1 and herpes type 2. Other viruses in the specimen will not be identified. |
Stability
| Swab or Plasma: Room temperature: 4 hours; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable. Tissue and Biopsy: Room temperature: 4 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: 1 month |
Reference Range
| Not detected |
Performed
| Monday-Saturday |
| Up to 5 days | |||||
| HSVC | |||||
| |||||
| |||||