Test Details
Mnemonic
VC
Ordering Code
3093100
CPT-4 Code(s)
87252 Culture inoculation, plus
Specimen Information
Collect
Variable specimen types
Specimen Preparation
Specimen source required.
Swab specimens in viral transport medium.
Biopsy/tissue specimens in saline or viral transport medium. (snap frozen -20°C).
Body fluids undiluted in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum).
Stool in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum). Liquid stool or marble size solid stool. Stool in Cary blair medium.
Undiluted urine in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum), for Mumps only.
Blood in EDTA (lavender top) tube. 3.0 mL (2.0 mL minimum). Note: CVD is the preferred method.
Swab specimens in viral transport medium.
Biopsy/tissue specimens in saline or viral transport medium. (snap frozen -20°C).
Body fluids undiluted in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum).
Stool in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum). Liquid stool or marble size solid stool. Stool in Cary blair medium.
Undiluted urine in sterile leak-proof container. 2.0 mL (1.0 mL minimum), for Mumps only.
Blood in EDTA (lavender top) tube. 3.0 mL (2.0 mL minimum). Note: CVD is the preferred method.
Alternate Specimen
The Laboratory Director or Supervisor must approve testing of specimens other than those listed.
Minimum Volume
Determined by specimen type
Transport Temperature
Varies with speciment type, see stability
Rejection Criteria
CSF - Please reorder as Comprehensive Virus Detection (CVD).
Urine specimens for culture other than Mumps or Measles virus - Please reorder as CVD.
Urine (for Mumps) in Grey-Top (boric acid) urine vacutainers
Rectal swabs or stool preserved in formalin, SAF, or PVA.
Stool specimens received with diapers, tissue paper, tongue depressors, sticks, and other objects containing stool.
Specimens in Amplicor, EIA, Gen-Probe, or ProbeTec transport media.
Specimens in bacterial transport media, Stewart medium (Culturette) and specimens in bacteriological blood culture media.
Dry swabs, wooden swabs, calcium alginate swabs, and swabs in gel transports.
Tissues received in transport media that has not been frozen (-20°C).
Any specimen other than tissues frozen at temperatures warmer than -70°C.
Specimens received in non-sterile or leaking containers.
Swab specimens (respiratory) in viral transport medium
Nasal washes (respiratory) in sterile, leak proof plastic container
Nasal aspirates (respiratory) in vacuum trap
Bronchoalveolar lavage/wash (respiratory) in sterile leak-proof container
Urine specimens for culture other than Mumps or Measles virus - Please reorder as CVD.
Urine (for Mumps) in Grey-Top (boric acid) urine vacutainers
Rectal swabs or stool preserved in formalin, SAF, or PVA.
Stool specimens received with diapers, tissue paper, tongue depressors, sticks, and other objects containing stool.
Specimens in Amplicor, EIA, Gen-Probe, or ProbeTec transport media.
Specimens in bacterial transport media, Stewart medium (Culturette) and specimens in bacteriological blood culture media.
Dry swabs, wooden swabs, calcium alginate swabs, and swabs in gel transports.
Tissues received in transport media that has not been frozen (-20°C).
Any specimen other than tissues frozen at temperatures warmer than -70°C.
Specimens received in non-sterile or leaking containers.
Swab specimens (respiratory) in viral transport medium
Nasal washes (respiratory) in sterile, leak proof plastic container
Nasal aspirates (respiratory) in vacuum trap
Bronchoalveolar lavage/wash (respiratory) in sterile leak-proof container
Stability
Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days (except tissues)
Frozen (-20°C): Do Not Freeze at -20°C (except tissues)
Frozen (-70°C): Do Not Freeze at -70°C (except tissues)
Tissue and Biopsy Only
Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
Frozen (-70°C): 3 months
Refrigerated: 7 days (except tissues)
Frozen (-20°C): Do Not Freeze at -20°C (except tissues)
Frozen (-70°C): Do Not Freeze at -70°C (except tissues)
Tissue and Biopsy Only
Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
Frozen (-70°C): 3 months
Methodology
Standard tube cultures and monoclonal antibody staining. Viruses that can be isolated include
most Adenoviruses, most Enteroviruses, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Mump Virus (if requested).
most Adenoviruses, most Enteroviruses, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Mump Virus (if requested).
Reference Range
No growth
Performing Laboratory
Warde Medical Laboratory