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Influenza Virus: PCR

Last modified by  mike_rogers  on  March 10, 2010 02:47 PM


UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

PCR, Influenza Virus·             

    •  
    •  Rapid antigen testing and viral culture are not available.  The sensitivity of rapid antigen testing for H1N1 is as low as 10%. Point-of-care rapid antigen testing should NOT be used in community practices to diagnose influenza.
    •  When laboratory diagnosis of influenza is necessary, order an influenza virus PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab specimen. 

      NOTE: NASAL SWABS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND MAY LEAD TO FALSE NEGATIVE RESULTS.   
      View the video for instruction on proper specimen collection. 
    • Specimens should be collected within 5 days of symptoms.

    •  Testing is currently performed 3x/day Monday-Friday and 1x/day Saturday and Sunday. 

    •  All influenza A positive specimens from inpatients will be automatically tested for 2009 H1N1.  Other confirmatory testing will only be performed with Hospital Epidemiology approval.
    •  Flocked swabs are the preferred collection device (included in the BD Universal Viral Transport kit) and are available starting Nov. 2 from Central Distribution (Lawson #050750).
    • Specimen collection and swab ordering information here nasopharyngeal swab specimen

 

Test ID FLUPC
Test Number 9488
SMS Browse INFLUENZA VIRUS PCR
PCR, INFLUENZA VIRUS
CPT Code(s) 87798
Group/Individual Test Group
Laboratory Molecular Microbiology
Tube Station 82
SpecimenRoutine:

NP swab is the specimen of choice.
Nasopharyngeal(NP) Aspirate, NP Washes, Tracheal Aspirate, and specimens obtained by bronchoscopy.

See NP swab collection video if needed

See Comments for additional specimen information and dates of testing availability

   
AvailabilityRoutine:Performed 3x/day Monday-Friday at 7am, 1pm, and 7pm and x1 Saturday and Sunday; Results available in WEBCIS 4 hours later
   
   
Turnaround Time Performed 3x/day Monday-Friday at 7am, 1pm, and 7pm and x1 Saturday and Sunday: Results available in WEBCIS 4 hours later
Reference RangeNormal:No Influenza A viral RNA detected.
No Influenza B viral RNA detected.
   
Comments

Guide to Nasopharyngeal Specimen Collection

This assay detects and differentiates both Influenza A & B Viruses. Any questions regarding swine or avian influenza should be directed to Dr. Melissa Miller, Director of Molecular Microbiology at (919) 966-6101.

For information concerning resistance to Influenza Antiviral Medications, please see the CDC Health Advisory dated 12/19/2008.

For the most current Influenza activity and circulating strain types in North Carolina please visit: North Carolina Communicable Diseases.

Note: False-positive Influenza RNA tests are associated with the administration of FluMist, an intranasally-administered influenza vaccine.  Individuals receiving this vaccine may shed influenza RNA for up to 3-weeks post-vaccination.

For the detection of multiple viruses see Respiratory Virus Group, NAA. 

 

disclaimer text

 

Influenza Virus: PCR
PCR, Influenza Virus
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