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Test Code LAB3964 Influenza A/B, RSV, and SARS-COV-2 PCR

Testing Includes

This test is capable of detecting the following respiratory pathogens: 

  • Influenza A          
  • Influenza B
  • RSV
  • SARS-COV-2

 

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital - Virology

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: NP Swab

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube

Preferred/Accetable: 

  • Nasopharyngeal Swab
  1. Obtain a vial of universal/viral transport medium (UTM) with collection swab from Pyxis or supplied by St. Louis Children's Hospital Lab (call lab at 314-454-6130 or 314-454-4268 to obtain).
  2. Collect specimen by inserting swab into nares, and into nasopharyngeal area.
  3. Rotate swab to collect epithelial cells from nasopharyngeal area. Hold swab in place for 10-15 seconds to increase specimen collection. 
  4. Place the swab in UTM vial, break off shaft of swab and discard excess piece of shaft. To prevent leaking, make sure the swabs do not interfere with tightening cap on vial.
  5. Label transport container with the PPID order label or patient's addressograph label with date and time of collection.
  6. Tightly cap the tube, place in a transport bag, and seal.
  7. If transport time will exceed 4 hours, specimen should be transported with cold/ice pack

Special Instructions:

  1. Specimen should be delivered immediately to lab.
  2. If specimen will be in transit >4 hours, it should be transported with a cold pack.

Sample Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Dry swabs or swabs sent in bacterial transport medium (eSwab).

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday
Cut-off time: None; performed as received

Turnaround time: Same day; <1 hour from receipt in performing laboratory

Reference Values

Reference Range: Not Detected (Negative)
Critical Values: None established

Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization with melt curve analysis
(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)

Limitations

  • NA

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: DO NOT PROCESS. Give specimen directly to Micro/Virology bench.

Analyte Stability: 

Specimen Type    Temperature Time
  Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated      7 days    
  Frozen (<15o) NA    

Transport Temperature: Ambient

Test Classification and CPT Code

0241U

LOINC

Influenza A: 22827-0

Influenza B: 40982-1

RSV: 40988-5

Last Reviewed

08/2025