Specimen:

Various

Collection Medium:

Testing Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Comments:

Acceptable specimens:  swabs of cervical, genital, rectal, and oral 
lesions, tissue, BAL, respiratory secretions, body fluid.  HSV culture 
will NOT be performed on CSF specimens.  CSF specimens will have HSVPCR 
performed by the Molecular Pathology Department.

For lesions, expose the base of the lesion by lifting the cap of the 
vesicle or ulcer.  Using swab from Regular flocked swab collection kit 
(33625), swab the entire base of the lesion firmly to collect cellular 
material (without causing bleeding).  Place swab in viral transport 
media.  Collect bronchoalveolar lavage or tracheal aspirate in sterile, 
leak-proof container or viral transport media (33595).  Collect 
specimens from normally sterile sites in sterile container.

Transport the specimen to the Microbiology Laboratory (6004 BT) 
immediately on ice or refrigerate.  From 2245 to 0700, deliver specimen 
to Specimen Control (6240 RCP) on ice.

Cultures are held for 7 days.

Methodology:

Shell vial culture

CPT Code:

87252

See also:
Viral Culture