Synonyms

Tissue culture

Test Includes

Cell culture for the isolation of viruses from: nose swabs, throat swabs, genital swabs, vascular lesions, respiratory aspirates, biopsy and post mortem tissues

Request Form 

Microbiology form (Green)

Availability

On request during normal working hours

Specific Criteria

Please give detailed clinical information, including date of onset/contact with the suspected infection

Turnaround Time

10 -14 days

Specimen

1) Faeces - a walnut sized portion should be submitted in a stool container
2) Swabs - special viral swabs complete with transportation tube are available from the Virology Laboratory (ext. 3536 or 01268-593536) on request
3) Vesicle Fluid - this will be collected by the Microbiology Laboratory on request
4) Urine - urine samples for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) must be collected into a PLAIN universal container (white cap) and send to the Microbiology Laboratory as soon as possible
5) Tissue - Samples must be sent directly to the Microbiology Laboratory and kept cool at all times. Do NOT add formalin to the tissue

Container

See above

Collection

Samples should be transported to laboratory immediately

Lab. Handling

Samples should be sent to the Reference Laboratory as soon as possible

Causes for Rejection

Unlabelled sample
Delay in sample reaching laboratory