Specimen Collection
The required specimen is a
Nasopharyngeal Swab (NPS)
in Universal Transport Media (UTM) / Viral Transport Media (VTM).
Unsuitable specimens:
Sputum, tracheal aspirates, nasopharyngeal aspirates, bronchial washings, and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL)
cannot
be tested by this method.
Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method
Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (detected / not detected).
Rapid
respiratory PCR panel targets:
Platform - Cepheid GeneXpert Instrument System
-
Influenza A
-
Influenza B
-
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
-
SARS-CoV-2
Rapid extended
respiratory PCR panel targets:
Platform - BioFire FilmArray
-
Influenza A
-
Influenza B
-
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
-
SARS-CoV-2
-
Adenovirus
-
Coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43
-
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
-
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
-
Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
-
Parainfluenza virus 1-4 (PIV1-4)
-
Bordetella pertussis
-
Bordetella parapertussis
-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Diagnosis of current infection.
Requests for
rapid
respiratory PCR testing (see targets below) will only be processed for the following areas/scenarios:
-
Critical wards/services: DCCM, CVICU, PICU, NICU, Haematology
-
Special indications: SOT donor and recipient pre-transplant screen
-
Emergency admissions: AED, CDU, CED, Daystay Units, Te Whetu Tawera Acute Mental Health Unit
Requests for
rapid extended
respiratory PCR testing (see targets below) will only be processed for the following areas/scenarios:
-
Critical wards/services: DCCM, CVICU, PICU, NICU, Haematology
-
Special indications: SOT donor and recipient pre-transplant screen
See also:
Bordetella pertussus PCR
Respiratory Panel PCR
Contact Information
For further information, contact the Microbiology Department via Lablink or the Clinical Microbiologist:
Lablink contact details
Dr Sally Roberts
, Microbiologist:
ext 22705
Cellphone
021 674 140
Dr Sharmini Muttaiyah
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 615 892
Dr Mary de Almeida
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 170 9117
Dr Matthew Blakiston
, Microbiologist: contact via Lablink
Dr Veronica Playle
, Microbiologist: contact via Lablink
Dr Gary McAuliffe,
Microbiologist: contact via Lablink