Viral Culture Screen

General Information

Lab Name

Viral Culture

Lab Code

VCS

Epic Name

Viral Culture

Description

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 viral culture include Adenovirus, Parainfluenza viruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza Viruses, Enterovirus, Rhinovirus, 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 Viral Culture Screen with Rapid CMV, see Viral Culture and Rapid CMV Detection [VCSCMV]

For Herpes Group Culture (HSV1&2, CMV and VZV), see Herpes Group Culture (HSV 1&2, CMV, VZ) [VCHG]

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

Synonyms

Adenovirus Culture, Enterovirus Culture, Herpes Culture, Influenza Culture, Respiratory Viral Culture, RSV Culture

Components

Code	Name
SDES40	Viral Culture Specimen
PRLIM7	Viral Culture Prelim
FNL7	Viral Culture Final

Interpretation

Method: Tissue culture
Reference Range: See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type: Body fluids (CSF, BAL, Washes, Urine, Sputum), Swabs, Tissue, and Stool
Collection: Body fluids (CSF, BAL, Washes, Urine, Sputum): 1 mL of sample in a 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
Quantity: Requested: See Collection
Minimum: 1 mL

Processing

Receiving Instructions: 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.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department

Virology - OLD(VIRO)

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

Performing Location(s)

Other	Virology 206-685-8037 Virology Laboratory, Ste 320 1616 Eastlake Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102

Billing & Coding

LOINC: 6584-7
Interfaced Order Code: UOW232