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viral culture

Indications: - viral infection Specimen: 1) respiratory secretions 2) aspirates from the respiratory tract 3) nasal swabs 4) blood specimens (including buffy coats) 5) vaginal & rectal swabs 6) swab specimens from suspect skin lesions 7) stool specimens (some viral agents) Minimum volume: 1) 1 mL of fluid 2) 1 g of stool Container: 1) fluid specimens in sterile containers containing holding medium (antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth & preserve viability of virus) 2) swab samples in viral culturette devices, kept on ice but NOT frozen Storage: 1) blood specimens (including buffy coats) -> store at 4-8 degrees C 2) for shipping or long-term storage a) freeze at -80 degrees C if possible b) many specimens should be kept cool, but NOT frozen Notes: -> procedures & transport media depend upon the viral agent & the time required for transport

Related

viral infection

Specific

Adenovirus identified by culture Arbovirus identified by culture culture for cytomegalovirus (CMV) culture for Herpes simplex virus Cytomegalovirus culture enterovirus identified by culture Flavivirus identified by culture Herpes virus identified by culture HIV identified by culture influenza B virus culture Influenza virus culture influenza virus identified by culture measles virus identified by culture metapneumovirus identified by culture Mumps virus culture parainfluenza virus identified by culture poliovirus identified by culture rabies virus identified by culture reovirus identified by culture respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) identified by culture rotavirus identified by culture rubella virus identified by culture Varicella zoster virus culture

General

culture for specific pathogen

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 492
  2. Culture, Viral Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 65008
  3. Culture, Viral and Cytomegalovirus Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 65034