|
Chlamydia
trachomatis/ Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Enterovirus
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
M. tuberculosis Amplification Assay (MTD)
Detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae DNA is performed using
the ProbeTec Strand Displacement Amplification method (BD Biosciences).
This test can be performed
on urogenital
specimens (endocervical or urethral) or FIRST-VOID urine specimens.
Swab specimens should be collected using the ProbeTec collection kit (available
from Central Supply). The large swab kit is for female collection and
the small swab kit is for male specimen collection. Swabs must be left
in the collection tube.
Detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae can be performed from a
single specimen.
The Assay can be used as test-of-cure, but a minimum of 4 weeks after
initial diagnosis is recommended before retesting.
Final Report: 24 hours
ENTEROVIRUS
Enterovirus DNA in CSF is detected using a homogeneous,
'real time' PCR assay developed and validated by the HCMC Molecular Diagnostics
Laboratory. This assay
is the test
of choice for diagnosisng CNS infection with this group of viruses.
CSF is the
only acceptable specimen type. The assay will be run without the need
for Laboratory Director's approval on specimens obtained from infants
less than 1 year of age, and on specimens obtained from all other patients
if the nucleated cell count in the CSF is >5 per ul. Approval will
be required on specimens not meeting these criteria.
Final Report: 24 hours
(May through October). 24-72 hours (November through April)
HCV-PCR
(QUANTITATIVE)
HCV RNA is detected and quantitated using a "real time" reverse-transcriptase
PCR assay (Celera Diagnostics) whose performance characteristics have
been validated by the HCMC
Molecular Diagnostics
Laboratory. This assay is intended to be used both to confirm active HCV
infection in seropostive individuals and to monitor therapeutic response
in patients receiving antiviral therapy. Serum is the specimen of choice.
This test requires approval by the Laboratory Director if ordered by a
physician other than GI or ID staff.
Final Report: 7-10 days
HCV GENOTYPEAssay (TruGene, Visible Genetics) determines
the nucleotide sequence of the PCR amplicon generated in the Roche Amplicor
HCV assay, and assigns a genotype based on the result. This test is used
ONLY on patients under consideration for receiving antiviral therapy for
HCV infection.
This test requires approval by the Laboratory Director if ordered by a
physician other than GI or ID staff.
Serum is the specimen of choice.
Final Report: 7-10 days
HIV-PCR (QUANTITATIVE)
Assay quantitatively measures the amount of HIV-RNA in the peripheral
blood (viral-load; Roche Monitor). This test is used ONLY on patients
known to be infected with HIV (seropositive), and is not a test for diagnosing
HIV infection.
Required specimen is anticoagulated plasma in a white PPT tube. EDTA is
also acceptable.
Final Report: 7 days
HIV GENOTYPE
Nucleotide sequencing assay (TruGene, Visible Genetics) used to detect
antiretroviral resistance conferring mutations in the reverse transcriptase
and protease genes of HIV-1. Assay should only be used for therapeutic
decision making.
Required specimen is EDTA anticoagulated plasma. Patient must have a viral
load of =>1000 copies/ml for genotyping to be performed. This test
requires approval by the Laboratory Director if ordered by a physician
other than ID staff.
Final Report: 7-14 days
HERPES
SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV)
HSV DNA in CSF is detected using a PCR assay developed and validated by
the HCMC Molecular Diagnostics laboratory. This assay is the test of choice
for diagnosing CNS infection with HSV (meningitis or encephalitis).
CSF is the only acceptable specimen type. The assay will be run without
the need for Laboratory Director’s approval on specimens obtained
from infants less than 1 year of age, and on specimens obtained from all
other patients if EITHER the nucleated cell count in the CSF is >5
per ul AND/OR the CSF protein is >45 mg/dL. Approval will be required
on specimens not meeting these criteria.
Final Report: 24-72 hours
Direct detection of M. tuberculosis complex ribosomal RNA in clinical
specimens using Transcription Mediated Amplification (MTD, GenProbe).
Assay can be performed on respiratory specimens (both AFB smear positive
and smear negative) without laboratory approval, and on non-respiratory
specimens (requires approval of Laboratory Director).
Use of this test does not eliminate the need for AFB culture. If specimen
quantities are limited, culture will receive priority.
Final Report: 24-72 hours
|
