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Test Code: RVPCR Preferred Name Respiratory virus PCR

No
24 hrs
Daily M-F
24-48 hrs
Medicare Item
N/A

Test Tubes

ImageSpecimen TypeSpecimen VolumeTube Type
Nasopharyngeal Aspirate (NPA)>1 mLSputum trap
ETT>1 mLEndotrachial Tube Aspirate
Nasopharyngeal SwabNasopharyngeal Swab (flocked)
Sputum1 mLSterile container 70 mL (yellow lid)
BAL1 mLSputum trap

COLLECTION NOTES

1. PCR cannot be performed on swabs in bacterial transport medium, as this inhibits the enzymes in the assay.
2. RVPCR may be performed on any respiratory sample.
3. The SARS-CoV-2 component will be coded differently by CMD and/or Bacteriology depending on sample type: nasopharyngeal swab (COVNAA or RAPCOV), throat/combined nose and throat swab (COVNAA), samples other than upper respiratory swabs (FSSPCR).

GENERAL NOTES



1. Lung tissue cannot be tested at Mater Pathology, but can be referred to Pathology Queensland (at RBWH).
2. Requests for coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) should be discussed with the Microbiologist before being coded, e.g. SARS or SARS-CoV-1 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1); MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). These tests will also be coded as FSSPCR but require liaison with FSS prior to testing.

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