Influenza Type A and B, Qualitative Real-Time RT-PCR
with Reflex Subtyping & Lineage
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Updated
| 11/9/2022 (reviewed 5/23/2023)
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Search Terms
| Flu A and B PCR; Flu A subtyping; Flu B genotyping; Flu B lineage
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| How to Order |
On the
Virology/Immunology Test Request Form (OHA0042), in the “Other” section, check the box for “Influenza RT-PCR Screen.”
If the specimen is associated with an identified outbreak, include the outbreak number in the Outbreak Number box on the test request form.
Influenza A subtyping and influenza B genotpying may be reflexed when results are positive for influenza on the SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR or SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza NAAT tests.
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Availability
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All clients with approval from the Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Program (ACDP) |
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| Performed | Once per week or more, depending on demand |
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| Time to Reporting | Within 7 working days after receipt of specimen |
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Data Sharing
| Data from influenza testing are shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) as part of Global Influenza Surveillance.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm
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| CPT Code | 87502 x 2
If Influenza A is detected, additionally 87503 x 3 (H3, H1N1 (2009) pdm InfA, and HIN1 (2009) pdm H1).
If Influenza B is detected, additionally 87503 x 2 (Victoria and Yamagata lineage)
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Specimen Collection Details |
| Collection | Collect specimen(s) using Dacron polyester tips or flocked swabs on a plastic shaft (wooden shaft swabs are not acceptable). Ideally, collect specimens within 3 days of illness onset and not later than 7 days after illness onset. Insert swabs into viral transport media (preferred). Universal transport media and sterile saline are accepted. Do not submit a dry swab for testing.
Acceptable specimen sources include:
- Upper Respiratory: Nasopharyngeal swabs (preferred), nasal swabs, throat swabs, combination swabs (2 swabs from accepted specimen sources in one vial)
- Lower Respiratory: Nasal aspirates, nasal washes, bronchoalveolar lavages, bronchial washes, tracheal aspirates, sputum, lung tissue, or cell culture isolates
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| Optimal Volume | 3 mL |
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| Minimum Volume | 1 mL |
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| Handling |
Store specimens at refrigerated temperatures (2-8°C) pending transport. If specimen transport cannot occur within 2-3 days of specimen collection, freeze the specimen(s), preferably at -70° C, and ship on dry ice as soon as possible. |
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| Transport |
Package specimens with fully frozen ice packs to maintain refrigerated temperatures during transport. Transport for receipt at the OSPHL within 3 days of specimen collection.
If specimen is frozen, package specimens with dry ice to maintain frozen temperatures during transport. |
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| Rejection Criteria | Swabs with calcium alginate, cotton tips, or wooden shafts; specimens that are collected more than 14 days after illness onset.
Specimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy and Criteria, available at:
http://bit.ly/SpecimenCriteria. |
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| Comments |
Specimens that are positive for influenza A or influenza B on the
SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR or
SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza NAAT tests will have influenza subtyping or genotyping automatically ordered. Discrepant results between testing platforms may occur for specimens with low quantity or low quality of viral RNA. For additional details about OSPHL's testing process, please review the
COVID-19 and Influenza Testing Algorithm (pdf).
This test will identify influenza A (H3, 2009 H1N1, and H3N2v subtypes), and influenza B Victoria and Yamagata lineages. Highly pathogenic avian influenza testing (e.g., H5 and H7) available upon ACDP approval. Influenza A subtyping assay result guidance is provided in the
Influenza A Subtyping Results Interpretation Table (pdf).
Original material submitted for testing is retained for 7 calendar days after receipt at the laboratory.
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Method Details |
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Methodology |
Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) |
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Performance Specifications |
Method Performance Specifications determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please contact the CDC for specifications if needed.
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