Sharp Pathology Laboratory announces new
testing to be offered October 29, 2009
-
The Respiratory Viral Panel by PCR (Order Set) will
include:
Influenza A Virus, Influenza B Virus, and RSV Virus
Molecular Testing
with Reflex to Influenza A Virus Subtyping.
Sharp Pathology Laboratory is offering a multiplex
Real Time RT-PCR for the rapid detection and
discrimination of Influenza A Virus, Influenza B Virus,
and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) nucleic acids
from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs obtained from
symptomatic patients. All positive Influenza A
specimens will be reflexed to a subtyping assay to
determine if the virus is seasonal H1, seasonal H3, or
2009 Pandemic H1N1.
We recommend the use of this assay for
diagnosis of Influenza A or B. The rapid antigen tests
have been shown to have a median sensitivity of only
60 -75% while the RT PCR assay has been shown to
have a sensitivity of 94-98%.
A separate test in the order set is available
for RSV molecular testing. This assay has been
shown to have a greater sensitivity (mid-90%) than the
RSV rapid antigen test (85-93%).
Test Ordering
Order Set -
Respiratory Viral Panel by PCR -
(synonym: H1N1 Pandemic
Screen) will include the following new tests:
Influenza A Molecular Amplification, Influenza B
Molecular Amplification and RSV Molecular
Amplification
Specimen Collection
The correct collection of this specimen directly relates
to the accuracy of the test results.
A nasopharyngeal collection is required - nares is
unacceptable and can cause false negative results.
Influenza/RSV Collection kits are available from the
laboratory.
Result
Reporting
Testing is performed daily. Turn-around time is
targeted at <24 hours but may increase to <48 hours
when running at maximum capacity.
