SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Virology

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Special collection materials and transport media are available in Room 5.175 McCullough Building. When the laboratory is closed, they may be obtained from Microbiology Specimen Receiving, Room 5.137 McCullough.  Specimens must be collected as soon as possible after the onset of illness. Culture specimens should be immediately transported to the laboratory on ice to insure virus viability. Specify suspected viral agents on request slip.

Direct Viral Antigen Detection

Rapid Direct Viral Antigen Detection for Respiratory Specimens

Viral culture can detect most of the viral agents associated with respiratory disease but may require several days to a week to become positive. Direct detection of viral agents using rapid test methods, i.e. immunofluorescent stains or enzyme-linked assays, can dramatically speed detection of specific viral agents.

The most critical factor in the direct detection of respiratory viruses is collection of a proper specimen containing adequate numbers of infected cells. The specimen of choice is a nasal wash.

Collection of a Nasal Wash:

1. Materials: 5 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS); Rubber bulb (30 mL ear syringe)

2. Aspirate the PBS into the bulb. Tilt the tube. Use all the PBS. For young infants, use 3-5 mL. Empty the tube of excess PBS to avoid diluting the specimen.

3. Hold the patient's face chin up. A sitting position will work best. Fit the tip of the bulb into a nostril.

4. Quickly squeeze the bulb. Immediately aspirate the PBS back into the bulb.

5. Transfer the specimen back to the empty PBS tube. Label the tube.

6. Transport the specimen on ice. Place the specimen in the ice bucket.

7. Return the rubber bulb to the holding area or laboratory along with the specimen.

External Lesions - Herpes simplex virus or Varicella zoster

1. Select a fresh vesicle (<3 days old). Scabs, vesicular fluid, bloody specimens, or pus are unsatisfactory for FA examination.

2. Incise the vesicle peripherally with the beveled edge of a sterile needle and gently lift back the top of the vesicle.

3. Blot the excess fluid with a sterile culturette swab and submit for virus isolation in viral transport medium (M4).

4. Roughly scrape the base of the lesion with the scalpel blade to obtain epithelial cells. Do not induce bleeding. It is important to obtain a sufficient quantity of basal epithelial cells.

5. Thinly spread the collected material over the 2 wells and label the slide with patient's name. Allow to air dry.

6. Place the slide in slide holder provided and label with the patient's name and UT number.

7. Transport to the laboratory along with the specimen for culture. A culture backup is required for HSV.

Table of infections and common virus/agent involved with suggested specimens.

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