Influenza Type A and B, Qualitative Real-Time RT-PCR with Reflex |
| Updated |
8/27/2019
|
| Search Terms |
Flu A and B PCR |
| 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. |
| Availability |
All
clients with approval from the Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention
Program (ACDP) |
| Performed |
Once per week or more, depending on demand |
| Time to Reporting |
Within 7 working days after receipt of specimen |
| CPT Code |
87798 x 2. If Influenza A is detected, additionally 87798 x 4 (H1, H3, H1N1 (2009) pdm InfA, and HIN1 (2009) pdm H1) |
|
Specimen Collection Details |
| Collection |
Collect specimen(s) using Dacron polyester tips or flocked swabs on a plastic shaft (wooden shaft swabs are not acceptable). Nasopharyngeal swabs are preferred. Ideally, collect specimens within 3 days of illness onset and not later than 7 days after illness onset. Insert swabs into viral transport media. Do not submit a dry swab for testing.
Instructions
for collecting nasopharyngeal specimens are available from Copan.
Acceptable specimen sources include: Nasopharyngeal swabs (preferred), nasal swabs, throat swabs, combination swabs (2 swabs from accepted specimen sources in one vial), nasal aspirates, nasal washes, bronchoalveolar lavages, bronchial washes, tracheal aspirates, sputum, lung tissue, or cell culture isolates. |
| Optimal Volume |
2-3 mL |
| Minimum Volume |
1 mL |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Comments |
Original material submitted for testing
is retained for 7 calendar days after receipt at the laboratory.
This test will identify influenza A H3, seasonal H1, 2009 H1 subtypes, and H3N2 variant, in addition to influenza B. Highly pathogenic avian influenza testing (e.g., H5 and H7) available if approved |
Method Details |
| Methodology |
Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
|
| Performance Specifications |
Performance specifications will be posted at a later date. Please contact the OSPHL for performance specifications in the interim. |