SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza AB by NAA, Routine
Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, COVID, SARS, Flu A, Flu B
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB8541
Department
Molecular Pathology
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab:
Place in viral transport medium (i.e. M4-RT, M5, UVT, UTM).
During collection, please remember to leave the NP swab in the patient's nasopharynx for 30 seconds and to gently rotate the swab to obtain an adequate specimen. For more information, please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual for NP Swab Collection.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Transport to laboratory immediately.
Maintain all specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Nasopharyngeal swab in viral transport medium, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Rejection Criteria
- Dry swabs.
- Samples collected in bacterial transport media such as ESwab.
- Cotton/calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts.
- Contaminated media (e.g. yellow in color or contain black particles).
In-Lab Processing
Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) until testing.
Specimens are only stable for eight (8) hours at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 72 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days.
Laboratory
Royal Oak Clinical Molecular Pathology Laboratory
Performed
Sunday – Saturday.
Results available within 24-48 hours.
Reference Range
Not Detected: No SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, or influenza B detected.
Test Methodology
Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA) / Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Influenza A/B test is for in vitro diagnostic use under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for US laboratories certified under CLIA to perform high complexity testing.
Interpretation
By report.
Clinical Utility
Symptoms of a respiratory virus infections may include fever, cough, sore throat, and malaise, which is also seen in patients with COVID-19. Due to the differences in patient treatment and management, it is necessary to differentiate COVID-19 from other common respiratory infections. This assay detects and differentiates SARS-CoV-2 (CoVID-19), influenza A, and influenza B. This assay detects specific regions of the pathogen's genomic RNA.
Clinical Disease
Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (CoVID-19) infection are similar to those of other respiratory viruses that occur seasonally in the fall/winter and include:
Fever
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Sore throat
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Dry cough
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Chills
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Fatigue
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Pneumonia
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Shortness of breath
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Epidemiology
Respiratory viruses typically follow a seasonal pattern with an increase of infections beginning in the fall and winter. Most cases of influenza occur in the winter and early spring (January through April) with peak incidence in January and February. SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of a worldwide pandemic that has resulted in tens of millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths since its emergence in December 2019. As an emerging pathogen, the seasonal pattern of SARS-CoV-2 is currently unknown.
Incubation Period
SARS-CoV-2: According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), the incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 ranges from 2 – 14 days with a median incubation period of 5 days. Patients are infectious 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and up to 10 days thereafter. Immunocompromised and critically ill patients may shed infectious virus for longer periods of time.
Influenza: The incubation period is 18-70 hours. Patients are infectious one day before the onset of symptoms and for 3-4 days thereafter. Infants and immunocompromised patients may shed infectious virus for longer periods of time.
Transmission
These viruses are very contagious and are transmitted through inhalation of virus-laden aerosols or by autoinoculation after handling fomites contaminated with nasal or throat secretions.
CPT Codes
87636
Contacts
Molecular Pathology Lab – RO
248-551-0073
Name: Molecular Pathology Lab – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-0073
Last Updated
11/1/2022
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