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Test
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Specimen
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Container
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Required volume
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Laboratory
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Turnaround time
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Additional information
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Adenovirus PCR
(Qualitative assay)
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Respiratory secretions (NPA, Throat Swabs, BAL), Eye swabs, Blood(serum)
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Sterile Universal
|
Minimum 200 µl
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
|
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AFB (acid-fast bacilli)
|
See under Mycobacteria
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|
Amikacin assay
|
See under Antibiotic Assays
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|
Amoebic serology [e-QUEST: Amoebiasis Reference Test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
28 days
|
. |
|
Ano-genital ulcer PCR
|
Swab
|
Swab in VTM |
|
SGH
|
2 days |
|
|
Antenatal serology [e-QUEST: Antenatal screen] (Full screen consists of: Syphilis IgG, Hepatitis BsAg, HIV)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
7 days |
Equest ordering:
- Select [Partial Antenatal screen] for patients declining HIV test
- Select [Minimal Antenatal] for patients declining HIV and HepBsAg
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|
Anthrax (serology/ isolation/ PCR)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml (blood)
|
Reference
|
5 days
|
Consult microbiology to arrange & discuss request
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|
Antibiotic Assays
|
- Please HANDWRITE on the request form, the exact time that blood is drawn.
- Vancomycin, gentamicin and tobramycin levels are processed in biochemistry 24 hours-a-day.
- Other antibiotic assays are NOT performed on-call [2000-0900 hours].
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Amikacin pre-dose (trough) & post-dose (1 hour after drug has been given)
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Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
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Conventional 2-3 times daily dosing: aim for a pre-dose of <10mg/l, post-dose of <30mg/l.
Once daily dosing: aim for a pre-dose of <5mg/l
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|
Teicoplanin pre dose.
Post-dose and random levels are NOT routinely needed. Loading dose regimen essential and wait for one week before testing level.
|
Blood (serum)
Equest ordering:
Select a
[Teicoplanin pre dose]
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Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
|
Aim for pre-dose of 20-25mg/l but <60mg/l.
Typical dosing not less than 6-8mg/kg daily.
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Antibiotic Assay (OTHER)- not listed above
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Blood
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
or Sodium Oxalate Tube (Grey Top) for Isoniazid
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference |
7 days |
Consult microbiology to arrange & discuss request.
For Isoniazid sampling please refer to guidleines
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|
Anti DNAse B
[e-QUEST: Anti- DNAse B titre]
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Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
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SGH
|
3 days
|
Please state date of onset.
|
|
ASO titre
[e-QUEST:Anti streptolysin O titre]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
Please state date of onset.
|
|
Antral washings
|
Washings
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Sterile Universal
|
1 ml minimum |
SGH
|
3 days
|
Please specify if fungal culture needed.
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|
Ascaris microcsopy
|
See under Faecal Parasitology/ OCP
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|
Aspergillus PCR/ antigen (galactomannan)
|
Blood (serum)
|
EDTA blood (purple top)
|
5-10 ml |
Reference
|
3 days
|
Consult microbiology to arrange & discuss request
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|
Aspirates (eg joint)
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Aspirate/ fluid
|
Sterile Universal
|
1 ml minimum |
SGH
|
3 days for MC&S
|
Please specify if mycobacterial investigations needed.
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|
Arboviral serology and PCR
Comprises:
Alphaviruses
Barmah Forest, Chikungunya, Ross River, Sindbis, Western, Eastern & Venezuelan equine encephalitis
Flaviviruses
Yellow fever, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, St Louis encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, West Nile, Tick-borne encephalitis complex
Reoviruses
Colorado tick fever
Phleboviruses
Rift Valley fever, Sandlfy fever
Bunyaviruses
California encephalitis
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Blood (serum)
+/- CSF
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
Sterile Universal
|
5-10 ml
Minimum 200 µl
|
Reference
|
12 days
|
A full travel history and immunisation details is essential for test interpretation.
Please discuss cases with a virologist.
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|
Arenavirus serology and PCR (Lassa Fever virus & LCMV)
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Lassa Haemorrhagic Fever: See under Viral Haemorrhagic Fever
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitic virus Meningitis/Encephalitis: Discuss with Virology
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Babesia serology
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Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
28 days
|
. |
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Bacterial vaginosis
|
See under Vaginal swabs
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|
Bartonella serology [e-QUEST: Cat-scratch reference test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
|
. |
|
Bilharzia
|
See under Schistosomiasis
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|
BK virus (PCR)
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Urine/EDTA blood/ tissue
|
N/A |
5-10 ml |
Reference
|
3 days
|
Discuss request with virologist
|
|
Blastomycosis serology
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
|
. |
|
Blood cultures
[e-QUEST: Blood culture & sensitivity]
(No need for separate requests for aerobic and anaerobic bottles)
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Blood
|
BD Bactec Anaerobic/Aerobic culture vials
|
8-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
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Take before antimicrobials are given if possible.
Transportation to the laboratory within 2 hours. Stored at room temperature.
Refer to blood culture sampling guideline.
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|
[e-QUEST: Blood culture (multiples)]
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Use only if taking only more than one set e.g. different lumens
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|
Blood cultures Paediatric
|
Blood
|
BD Bactec Peds Plus culture vial
|
4 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
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Take before antimicrobials are given if possible.
Transportation to the laboratory within 2 hours. Stored at room temperature
Refer to blood culture sampling guideline
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|
Bone for MC&S
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See under Fluids
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|
Bordetella isolation
|
Pernasal swab on flexible shaft
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|
N/A
|
SGH
|
4-7 days
|
. |
|
Bordetella PCR
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Pernasal swab or NPA (child)
|
Swab or Universal if NPA
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
2-3 days
|
Only performed on urgent requests from PICU. |
|
Bordetella serology- ?recent infection
[not for assessment of immunity]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2-3 days
|
For individuals with chronic cough for >2 weeks.
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|
Borrelia serology/ PCR
|
See under Lyme disease
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|
Botulism toxin Bioassay/ PCR
|
Blood (serum)- collect before antitoxin given
|
Clotted (red top) 10 ml
|
Reference
|
9 days
|
Consult microbiology to arrange & discuss request
|
|
Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) or washings
|
BAL/ washings
|
Sterile Universal
|
1 ml minimum |
SGH |
3 days for standard MC&S
|
Please specify if TB, fungal, viral or other test required (eg PCP |
|
Brucella serology/
[e-QUEST: Brucella reference test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7-14 days
|
. |
|
Campylobacter serology
[e-QUEST: Campylobacter serology]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
14 days
|
. |
| Carbapenemase screen |
Rectal swab |
Sterile swab in Amies transport medium |
N/A |
SGH |
2 days for negative, 3 days for presumptive positive
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Specimens are rejected if >48 hrs as sub optimal for the isolation or organism
|
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Cat Scratch Refererence Test
[e-QUEST: Cat scratch reference test]
|
See Bartonella serology
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|
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) MC&S
[e-QUEST: CSF for MC&S]
For cell count, Gram staining and culture send 2 - 3ml of CSF in each of 3 sterile universal containers
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CSF
|
Sterile Universal 30ml
|
2-3 ml
|
SGH
|
2-4 hrs (Microscopy)
2 days
(Culture)
|
If meningitis/ encephalitis is suspected contact the laboratory and send the specimens immediately. Send separate specimens for glucose and protein analysis to the appropriate departments
|
|
CSF for virological investigations
In Equest order:
[e-QUEST:Viral Menigitis/enceph.]
|
CSF
|
Sterile Universal 30ml
|
2-3 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
Provide a date of onset, symptoms and travel history.
Includes:
HSV, Enterovirus and Meningococcal PCR
If additional tests are required, contact virology
|
|
CSF for Mycobacteria/ Fungal investigation
In Equest order:
[CSF for MC&S] and specify additional tests in clinical details
|
CSF
|
Sterile Universal 30ml
|
2-3 ml
|
SGH
|
Up to 8 weeks
|
Send a separate sample for mycobacteria/ fungi
|
|
Chagas' disease
|
Send blood films for diagnosis of acute infection, otherwise see Trypanosomiasis serology
|
|
Chickenpox
|
See under Varicella
|
|
Chlamydia trachomatis/ NAATS
[e-QUEST:Chlamydia NAATS test]
|
Urine/genital/pharyngeal/rectal/eye swab
|
Specific collection tube dependent upon sample type
|
As specified in collection kit
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
Contact laboratory if information regarding specific collection kits is required.
|
|
Chlamydia serology
[e-QUEST:Chlamydia reference test]
(C. pneumoniae & C. psittaci)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days |
|
|
Clonorchis serology
|
See under Fasciola serology
|
|
Clostridium difficile PCR ribotyping
|
Faeces |
|
|
Reference |
14 days |
|
|
Clostridium difficile toxin testing
[e-QUEST:Faeces Clos difficile]
|
Faeces
|
Universal 30 ml faecal pot
|
1-2 gm
With the spatula provided transfer a plum-sized portion of faeces or equivalent volume of fluid
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
.Initial screening performed by PCR. |
|
CMV serology
[e-QUEST:CMV IgM antibody, CMV IgG antibody]
|
Blood
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
. |
|
CMV PCR (Quantitative assay)
[e-QUEST:CMV EBV PCR]
|
Blood
|
EDTA blood
|
1-5 ml (minimum 200µl/ assay)
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
Discuss interpretation of results with virologist.
|
|
Coccidiodes serology
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
|
Discuss with microbiologist if suspected.
|
|
Cold agglutinins (Mycoplasma)
|
Test performed by Haematology- consult Haematology for advice.
|
|
Corneal scrape
|
Corneal scrape
|
SGH
|
|
|
3-5 days |
Please state clearly if fungal/ mycobacterial or viral investigations required |
|
Coxiella burnetii serology
[e-QUEST:Q fever reference test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
12 days
|
Discuss with microbiologist if suspected.
|
|
Coxsackie virus serology
|
See under Enterovirus IgM
|
|
Cryptococcal antigen
[Cryptococcus antigen test]
|
Blood (serum)
CSF
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10 ml (blood)
1 ml minimum (CSF)
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
. |
|
Cryptosporidium spp.
(see Enteric Pathogens PCR)
|
Faeces
|
Universal 30 ml faecal pot
|
1-2 gm
With the spatula provided transfer a plum-sized portion of faeces or equivalent volume of fluid
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
. |
|
CVP tips
|
See under Vascular Access Devices
|
|
Cystic sputum
|
See under Sputum (cystic) |
|
Cysticercosis
|
See under Taenia/ Tapeworms
|
|
Dengue serology
[e-QUEST:Dengue reference test]
|
Refer to Arboviral serology
|
|
Dermatophytes
|
See under Mycology
|
|
Diphtheria isolation
|
Swab
|
Swab in Amies transport medium with charcoal
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
Discuss with microbiologist if suspected.
|
|
Diphtheria antibody for determination of immune status.
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red-top)
|
5-10ml
|
Reference
|
21 days
|
NOT for diagnosis of acute infection.
|