Herpes Group Culture (HSV 1&2, CMV, VZ)

NOTE: This test is temporarily unavailable as of 03/25/2020.

Viral isolation in tissue culture provides a broad, unbiased approach to identify viral pathogens. Inoculated susceptible living cells (tissue culture) are monitored for presumptive identification by the appearance of cytopathic effect (CPE, characteristic changes in the cell monolayer due to propagating virus). Four variables affect the presumptive identification of viral isolates: number of days to produce CPE, cell line(s) affected, appearance of CPE and source of specimen. Presumptive identification is confirmed by virus specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays or the presence of specific viral antigens by fluorescent antibody staining.

Viral pathogens identified by Herpes Group Viral Culture include Herpes Simplex virus, Varicella zoster virus, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is a slow replicating virus and the rapid CMV detection assay (shell vial) is recommended.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the University of Washington Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

For Herpes Group Culture and Rapid CMV, see Herpes Group Culture and CMV Rapid Detection [VCCMVR]

For Viral Culture Screen, see Viral Culture Screen [VCS]

For Viral Culture Screen with Rapid CMV, see Viral Culture and Rapid CMV Detection [VCSCMV]

Body fluids (CSF, BAL, Washes, Urine, Sputum): 1 mL of sample in sterile container

NP/Conjunctiva swabs: use FLEXIBLE, MINITIP FLOCKED SWAB in 3 ml universal transport media (UTM)
UWMC - PMM 304528, HMC - 51264, Community - Copan 305C or DHI 403C

Other Swabbed sites: use REGULAR FLOCKED SWAB in 3 ml universal transport media UTM

Tissue: in sterile saline or universal transport media (UTM)

Stool: pea size sample collected in a sterile container

Body fluids (CSF, BAL, Washes, Urine, Sputum): Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 48 hours from collection. Freeze at -70°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

NP/Conjunctiva swabs: Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 48 hours from collection. Freeze at -70°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Other Swabbed sites: Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 48 hours from collection. Freeze at -70°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Tissue: Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 48 hours from collection. Freeze at -70°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Stool: Sample may be stored at 2-8°C (ice pack) for up to 48 hours from collection. Freeze at -70°C or colder. Do not freeze/thaw.

Outside Laboratories:

Ship samples on dry ice, do not freeze/thaw. If freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack), shipment time must not exceed 48 hours from collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 48 hours old may be rejected.

Unacceptable samples: Blood (serum/plasma), dry swabs.

Note: Freezing specimens at -20°C is NOT acceptable for viral culture.