Test Code VZVHSV VZV and HSV Panel
Acceptable Collection Tube(s) or Specimen
Acceptable specimen types are cutaneous and/or mucocutaneous lesion swabs from miscellaneous, dermal, eye, nasal, or throat sites stored in UTM (BD UVT), Remel M4, Remel M4RT, Remel M5, or Remel M6 transport medium. Minimum volume is 0.5 mL.
Processing Instructions
Specimen Requirements: Lesion swabs collected in Viral Transport Medium (VTM)
Stability
Stability: Refrigerated 7 days, Frozen 7 days.
Performed Test Frequency
Weekdays
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization
CPT(s)
87798|87529|87529
Performing Location
MercyOne Clinical Lab, Des Moines, IA, Microbiology.
Cerner Test Code
VZVHSV
Rejection Criteria
Rejection criteria: Specimen not in VTM, not stored at 2 – 8 C, use of wooden or calcium alginate swab