Microbiology Laboratory Tests: Taeniasis to Trichuriasis

Microbiology
Tapeworm, Other Diphyllobothrium latum, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta 
(Microscopic – Clearing Exam)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes: Microscopic Examination

Reporting

Results Available: 3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Microscopic Examination  
Turnaround Time:  3 days Reference Range:  No parasites found
Limitations: Interpretation:

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: feces, proglottid, scolex Sample Type: Proglottid; Scolex; Feces
Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL liquid feces, 
15 g feces
Preferred Specimen:  Proglottid; Scolex; Feces
Collection/Preservation: Collect the stool in a clean, dry container. Immediately transfer to formalin. Store at ambient temperature. Collect proglottid or scolex and place in a clean leak-proof container with ethyl alcohol. Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection: Unpreserved stool > 5 hours old Sample Container: Formalin transport for parasites. Clean leak-proof container with ethyl alcohol for transport of proglottid, scolex.
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be submitted fresh (less than five hours) or in  formalin.  Submit proglottid in ethyl alcohol.  Referred material from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient  temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87177 Fees:

Microbiology
Toxocariasis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
< Return to Table of Contents

Reporting

Results Available: 3 weeks Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  <1.00 (Nonreactive)
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760. A detailed patient history is required. Serum specimens are forwarded to the CDC. The EIA procedure uses the excretory-secretory antigen of T. canis larvae to minimize crossreactivity with Ascaris spp and of other parasites. Results must be interpreted with caution, as broad variations in antibody response occur and levels may remain elevated for years after infection. Generally, antibody levels are highest in visceral larvae migrans (VLM). A Nonreactive result usually rules out infection with Toxocara spp.  

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature for specimens on the blood clot, separated serum at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or -20°C (frozen). Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8°C), or frozen (-20°C) and mailed on dry ice.

Billing

CPT Code: 86682 Fees:

Microbiology
Toxoplasmosis (Microscopic – Giemsa Stain)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes: Microscopic examination

Reporting

Results Available: 3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Microscopic examination  
Turnaround Time:  3 days Reference Range: No parasites found
Limitations: Interpretation: Negative test results indicate that there were no visible parasites in the specimen submitted.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Biopsy Sample Type: Tissue
Volume/Amount Required: small piece of tissue Preferred Specimen:  Tissue
Collection/Preservation: Collect a small piece of tissue by biopsy and transport at ambient temperature. Storage Instructions: ambient temperature
Causes for Rejection: Name on container/form do not match, broken in transport Sample Container: Sterile, leak-proof container
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  Serological results are normally used to diagnose toxplasmosis.  Results of all other procedures must be interpreted in light of the serologic findings. T. gondi identified in histological preparations may not be the causative agent of the symptoms (many individuals harbor the organisms in their tissues but have no symptoms).

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids and tissues using universal precautions
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87177 Fees:

Microbiology
Trachoma (Culture – DNA Probe) See also Chlamydia (Genetic Probe)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes: Gen-Probe Pace 2C, Pace 2 for C. trachomatis, AmpCT (amplified)

Reporting

Results Available: 2-3 days Contact #s: (512) 458-7582

Reference

Method: Genetic probe for rRNA
Turnaround Time:  3 days Reference Range:  Negative for C. trachomatis
Limitations: Results dependent on adequacy of sampling. Urine specimens can only be tested using amplified test. Interpretation: Negative results indicate that the patient does not have detectable amounts of C. trachomatis rRNA.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Only swabs contained in the PACE specimen collection kit can be use to collect patient specimens. Specimen: female endocervical swab; male urethral swab, conjunctival swab; Urine (amplified only)
Volume/Amount Required: 1 Gen-Probe collector per patient Preferred Specimen:  (nonamplified) Female Endocervical Swab; Male urethral Swab; Conjunctival Swab.
(amplified) Urine
Collection/Preservation: Storage Instructions:
Causes for Rejection: Wrong name on collection tube, Two swabs in tube, No swab on tube, Wooden swab in tube, Metal swab in tube, Insufficient amount of liquid to test, > 7 days old, > 80 uL of blood. Sample Container: Gen-Probe collection tubes
Sample Test Kit: Gen-Probe Pace 2C, Pace 2 CT Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling:
Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature  Shipping Requirements: In accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens, non-infectious.

Billing

CPT Code:  87490, 87491 Fees:

Microbiology
Trachoma (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: 3 weeks Contact #s:

Reference

Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  <1:1 (Nonreactive)
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Paired Sera
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760. A detailed patient history is required. See Lymphogranuloma Venereum.  LGV serology available at CDC.  Serology is by prior arrangement only.  Once cleared, serum specimens are sent to the CDC. A four-fold rise in titer between acute and convalescent specimens is indicative of infection  

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions
Transport Temperature: Ambient temperature for specimens on the blood clot, separated serum at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or -20°C (frozen). Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8°C), or frozen (-20°C) and mailed on dry ice.

Billing

CPT Code: 86631, 86632 Fees:

Microbiology
Trichinelliasis (Serological – Forwarded by TDSHS to CDC for testing.)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes:

Reporting

Results Available: 3 weeks Contact #s:

Reference

Method:  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range:  <1.00 (Nonreactive)
Limitations: May not detect a recent infection, or infection in a person with a severely compromised immune system. Interpretation: Nonreactive indicates that the patient does not have detectable antibody to the infectious agent. Reactive indicates that the patient has detectable antibody to the infectious agent, and depending on the clinical picture, may have a current or past infection.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Venipuncture Sample Type: Serum
Volume/Amount Required: 10 mL whole blood Preferred Specimen:  Single Serum
Collection/Preservation: Red top or tiger top tube Storage Instructions: Do not freeze or refrigerate whole blood. Separated serum may be held at 2-8°C
Causes for Rejection: Discrepancy between name on tube and name on form, insufficient quantity of serum for testing Sample Container: Red top or tiger top tube
Sample Test Kit: Availability:
Diagnostic Information:  Prior notification is requested (512) 458-7760. A detailed patient history is required. Serum specimens are forwarded to the CDC. An excretory-secretory antigen is employed to reduce non-specific reactivity; however, cross-reactivity with other parasitic antigen (strongyloides, filarial, malaria) may occur. This cross-reactivity is usually associated with results in the equivocal range.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2A Specimen Handling: Use Universal Precautions
Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature for specimens on the blood clot, separated serum at 2-8°C (refrigerated) or -20°C (frozen). Shipping Requirements: Triple contain, separated serum may be shipped on cold packs (2-8°C), or frozen (-20°C) and mailed on dry ice.

Billing

CPT Code: 86784 Fees:

Microbiology
Trichinelliasis (Microscopic – Direct)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes: Microscopic examination

Reporting

Results Available: Contact #s:

Reference

Method: microscopic examination  
Turnaround Time:  3 weeks Reference Range: No parasites found
Limitations: Interpretation: Negative specimen indicates that there were no visible parasites in the specimen submitted.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Biopsy Sample Type: Tissue
Volume/Amount Required: small piece of tissue Preferred Specimen:  Tissue
Collection/Preservation: Collect by biopsy a small piece of muscle tissue. Hold at ambient temperature Storage Instructions: Ambient temperature, do not refrigerate or freeze
Causes for Rejection: Sample Container: Sterile, leak-proof container.
Sample Test Kit: Availability: Monday-Friday
Diagnostic Information:  The suspicion of trichinellosis (trichinosis), based on clinical symptoms and eosinophilia, can be confirmed by specific diagnostic tests, muscle biopsy and microscopy.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids and tissues using universal precautions.
Transport Temperature:  Ambient  temperature Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87177 Fees:

Microbiology
Trichuriasis (Microscopic – Direct Concentration Exam ID)
< Return to Table of Contents

Test Includes: Microscopic examination

Reporting

Results Available: 3 days

Contact #s: (512) 458-7560

Reference

Method: Microscopic examination

 

Turnaround Time:  3 days

Reference Range:  No parasites found

Limitations:

Interpretation:  Negative specimen indicates that there were no visible parasites in the specimen submitted.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection: Feces

Sample Type: Feces, worms

Volume/Amount Required: 15 mL liquid stool, or 15 g stool

Preferred Specimen:  Feces; Worm

Collection/Preservation: Collect stool in a clean, dry container. Immediately transport to formalin preservative.

Storage Instructions: Formalin preservative

Causes for Rejection: Unpreserved stool > 5 hours old.

Sample Container: Formalin transport for parasites

Sample Test Kit:

Availability: Monday-Friday

Diagnostic Information:  Fecal specimens must be sent in fresh (less that five hours) and in formalin. Adult worm can be submitted for identification in ETOH or in 10 % formalin.  Referred material accepted from hospital, private, and reference labs.

Specimen Submission

Required Request Form: G-2B

Specimen Handling: Handle body fluids using universal precautions. Formalin is a poison, handle with care.

Transport Temperature:  Ambient temperature

Shipping Requirements: Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.

Billing

CPT Code: 87015

Fees: