Specimen Collection
UTM Kit Flocked Swab (Always Required)
HSV swabs will be processed from the following areas/clinical situations.
Please note; sufficient clinical detail
must
be provided on the request form.
-
Inpatient areas
-
Sexual health clinic / Family planning clinic
-
Dermatology clinic
-
Antenatal / pregnant patients where there is a risk of congenital transmission
-
Immunocompromised patients
-
Neonates
-
First diagnosis of HSV of a genital lesion
Community swabs that fall outside of the above categories will not routinely be processed.
Please contact Virology for further discussion of such cases.
Sample Stability and Transport Requirements:
Room temperature (RT): same-day transport at RT is acceptable.
Refrigerated (2 - 8
0
C): Preferred if transport or testing is delayed beyond 24 hours and transport chilled (using ice packs)
Turnaround Time: Between 1 day and 4 days
.
Contact Information
For further information contact the laboratory (contact via Lablink: 22000 or (09) 307-8995 or 0800 522 7587) ,or:
the Virology team
virology@adhb.govt.nz
Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories
Keep refrigerated