Specimen Collection
This test has order restrictions. Please refer to Diagnostic Use and Interpretation section for eligibility criteria.
The required specimen is a
3mL
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 -
QIAGEN QIAstat-Dx
-
Influenza A
-
Influenza B
-
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
-
SARS-CoV-2
-
Adenovirus
-
Coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43
-
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
-
Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
-
Parainfluenza virus 1-4 (PIV1-4)
-
Bordetella pertussis
-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Platform - BioFire FilmArray
-
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Diagnosis of current infection:
Rapid tests will only be performed once in a seven-day period.
Requests for
rapid respiratory PCR testing
(see targets above) will only be processed for the following areas/scenarios:
-
Wards/services:
Haematology and Motutapu patients
-
Special indications
: SOT donor and recipient pre-transplant screen
All other requests will be referred to Virology Molecular Infectious Diseases for mini-panel testing using the same targets, results will be provided within 24 hours.
Requests for
rapid extended respiratory PCR testing
(see targets above) will only be processed for the following areas/scenarios:
-
Critical wards/services
: DCCM, CVICU, PICU, NICU, Haematology and Motutapu patients
-
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 Gary McAuliffe,
Microbiologist: contact via Lablink