| Test Description |
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Contact: Molecular Biology and Virology
(319) 335-4376
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Test Request Form: Viral and Bacterial PCR
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SHL OpenELIS Code: 577
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| Nucleic acid amplification by PCR to detect Bordetella pertussis DNA |
| Performed |
Avg. Turnaround Time |
Method |
Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M - F
|
1 - 3 business days |
Nucleic Acid Amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) |
| Fee |
CPT Code(s) |
| $69.97 |
87798 |
|
| Preferred Specimen Types: Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, nasal/nasopharyngeal wash or aspirate. Other acceptable specimen types: Nasal Swabs. PCR is a very sensitive test, and precautions should be taken to not cross-contaminate specimens (i.e., wear gloves and change before and after collecting specimen. Avoid contact with environmental surfaces). |
| Collect specimens prior to the start of antibiotic treatment. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs collected within 2 weeks of symptom onset are optimal. |
Nasopharyngeal Swab: Use flocked swab or dacron polyester swab. Insert swab through the nostril into the nasopharynx until tip reaches the posterior nasopharynx (a distance equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient). Leave the swab in place for 10 - 30 seconds. Slowly remove with a rotating motion. Place swab tip into the 1.5 mL screw cap tube provided in the kit. Bend swab back and forth in the tube until the swab tip breaks at the point where the swab shaft becomes thicker. The break point is approximately 1.5 inches from the tip of the swab. Use caution and avoid touching any part of the swab that was inside the nostril to prevent contamination. Tightly cap the tube.
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| Swabs can be stored and transported dry at ambient temperature or in a viral transport medium (leave the swab in the medium) and refrigerate (2-8°C). |
| Frozen samples; Sample obtained on cotton-tipped, wooden-shafted or calcium alginate swabs. |
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| Not Detected, Detected, Indeterminate, Equivocal |
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| Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Place biohazard bag in the white plastic shipping container supplied in the SHL kit (NOTE: multiple specimens can be shipped in the same white plastic shipping container). Transport specimen with cold pack. Ship to the Coralville location. |
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| CDC recommended test for the diagnosis of pertussis. Positive detection of pertussis infection must be reported to state and local public health officials within 3 days by phone, IDSS, fax or mail. Recommend contacting Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) at 1-800-362-2736. This test should NOT be used on asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to pertussis. PCR detects both live and dead bacteria and is NOT a test of active disease and cannot be used as a test of cure. |
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| Whooping Cough Culture, B. pertussis culture; Culture, B. pertussis; Culture, Bordetella pertussis; Pertussis Culture |
