SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS
Collect a nasopharyngeal swab or aspirate. Do NOT collect nose or throat swabs.
Swabs MUST be collected using UTM Viral transport media
EMR orders MUST specify collection site
All tests for respiratory virus PCR are considered urgent and must be delivered to the laboratory ASAP
Specimens are tested at AH, BHH and MH for Influenza A,B and RSV.
If oncology or ICU patients and negative Influenza A/B and RSV, the specimen will be referred for the multiplex PCR - Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus, Respiratory Syncitial Virus, Picornavirus (RV/EV), Parainfluenza viruses 1,2 and 3, Adenovirus, Human Metapneumovirus, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella species, Chlamydiaceae.
Sputum, Bronchial Washings, Bronchoalveolar Lavages are referred to an external laboratory for testing.
All other requests for multiplex PCR require approval from Infectious Diseases Unit.
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