Specimen Collection
Suitable specimens
Lower respiratory tract specimens:
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Sputum,
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Tracheal aspirate or
-
Bronchial washings/BAL are preferred.
However, nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from children will be tested if lower respiratory tract samples are not available.
Please do not send nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS).
Turnaround Time: Within 3 days
Test is performed on weekdays only.
Please contact the Clinical Microbiologist if an urgent test is required out of hours.
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
The Atypical Pneumonia PCR panel covers the following organisms:
-
Legionella
species
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Legionella pneumophila
-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
-
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
-
Pneumocystis jiroveci
-
Bordetella pertussis.
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