|
Test
|
Specimen
|
Container
|
Required volume
|
Laboratory
|
Turnaround time
|
Additional information
|
|
Ear swab
[e-QUEST: Wound ear/nose/throat]
|
Swab in Amies transport medium with charcoal.
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
4 days
|
|
|
Ebola virus
|
See Viral Haemorrhagic Fever
|
|
EBV PCR
|
Blood
|
EDTA blood (purple top)
|
1-5 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
EBV serology
[e-QUEST: EBV serology]
VCA IgG, VCA IgM, EBNA
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
|
|
Echinococcal (Hydatid) microscopy
|
Cyst fluid
|
Sterile Universal
|
N/A |
SGH/ Reference
|
1 day
|
Please discuss with laboratory
|
|
Echinococcal (Hydatid) serology
[e-QUEST: Hydatid reference test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference |
28 days
|
|
|
Ehrlichia (Anaplasma) serology
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
10 days
|
|
|
Endotracheal aspirate (ETA)
|
Respiratory secretions
|
Sterile Universal
|
N/A |
SGH
|
3 days |
|
|
Entamoeba histolytica
|
See under Amoebic serology & Send Faecal parasitology/ OCP
|
|
Enterobius vermicularis
|
See under Threadworms
|
|
Enterovirus/Parechovirus (Qualitative RT-PCR
[e-QUEST: Enterovirus PCR]
|
Faeces, CSF,
Mouth, Eye, Rash, Skin Swabs in viral transport medium)
|
Sterile Universal
or Swab in viral transport medium
|
1-2 gm faeces
1 ml CSF
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
Minimum required volume for assay: 200µl
|
|
Enterovirus IgM
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
1-5 ml
|
Reference
|
7-14 days
|
(includes Coxsackie viruses)
|
|
Escherichia coli (E.coli) O157 serology
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
15 days
|
See also Faeces MC&S
|
|
Eye swab for MC&S
|
Swab
|
Swab in Amies transport medium with charcoal.
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
4 days
|
Send a separate chlamydia swab if this is suspected.
|
|
Eye swab for virological investigations (PCR)
|
Swab
|
Swab in Viral Transport Medium
|
N/A |
SGH
|
4 days
|
|
|
Faecal parasitology/ ova, cysts and parasites (OCP)
[e-QUEST:Ova cysts & parasites]
|
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
|
7 days
|
3 specimens taken within a 5 day period-please give clinical details.
|
|
Faeces for Viral Pathogens
(Adenovirus/ Rotavirus/ Norovirus/Sapovirus/ astrovirus)
|
Faeces
|
Universal 30ml faecal pot
|
With the spatula provided transfer a plum-sized portion of faeces, or
equivalent volume of fluid
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
|
|
Faeces for Enteric Pathogens PCR (includes Giardia & Cryptosporidium)
[e-QUEST:Enteric Pathogens PCR]
Salmonella spp (inc typhoid, paratyphoid), Shigella spp, E.coli 0157 PCR positives confirmed by culture.
N.B.Yersinia spp, Vibrio spp (inc Cholera) confirmed by culture only
|
Faeces
|
Universal 30ml faecal pot
|
1-2 gm
With the spatula provided transfer a plum-sized portion of faeces, or
equivalent volume of fluid
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
Please do not request for patients who have been in hospital for over 3 days
|
|
Fasciola & other intestinal fluke serology (Clonorchis/ Paragonimus)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
28 days
|
|
|
Filarial serology
[e-QUEST:Filaria reference test]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
28 days
|
|
|
Fish & Shellfish Poisoning
|
Please call to discuss. [Scombroid/ Ciguatera/ PSP/ NSP/ ASP/ DSP]
|
|
Flavivirus serology & PCR
|
See under Arboviral serology
|
|
Fransicella tularensis
|
See under Tularaemia
|
|
Fluids, tissues, biopsies for microscopy and culture
[e-QUEST:Fluids+tissue MC&S ]
(includes aspirates, biopsies, tissue samples/ curettage, heart valves)
|
Fluid/ tissue
[If biopsy is small add 0.5ml of Ringers or sterile saline to prevent it from drying out. Ensure there is NO preservative or formalin]
|
Sterile Universal
|
Dependant on specimen type
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
Please specify if culture for fungi, mycobacteria or other fastidious organisms is required.
|
|
[e-QUEST:General comment]
|
For Equest serology tests when unable to find specific tests- enter request under clinical details
|
|
Genital herpes
|
See under Herpes Simplex Virus
|
|
Genital swab for MC&S
[e-QUEST:Genital swab MC&S]
|
HVS, LVS, Vulval, Vaginal, Penile
|
Swab in Amies medium with charcoal
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
Send ECS/URE for PID or STD
Specimens are rejected if >48 hrs as sub optimal for the isolation of organisms.
|
|
Genital swab for MC&S
[e-QUEST:Genital swab MC&S]
|
Urethral, Cervical, Endocervical
|
Swab in Amies medium with charcoal
|
N/A
|
SGH
|
3 days
|
Specimens are rejected if >48 hrs as sub optimal for the isolation of organisms.
|
|
Gentamicin levels
|
See under Antibiotic Assays
|
|
Giardia
|
See under Faeces Enteric Pathogens PCR
|
|
Gonococcal NAATS
|
Urine/Genital 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. |
|
HACEK organism isolation
Haemophilus aphrophilus/ paraphropilus; Actinobacillus actinomycetecomitans; Cardiobacterium hominis; Eikenella corrodens; Kingella kingae
|
Blood cultures
|
BD Bactec culture vials
|
8-10 ml
|
SGH
|
Fastidious organisms require up to 14 days incubation
|
Please specify HACEK organisms on request form.
|
|
Haemophilus ducreyi
|
Genital swab
|
|
N/A
|
Reference
|
|
Discuss with Microbiologist
|
|
Hantaviruses- serology and PCR
H F with renal syndrome
(Hantaan v, Puumala v)
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome(Sin Nombre v)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
6 days
|
Discuss with a virologist
|
|
Heart valves/ tissue for MC&S
|
See uder Fluids
|
|
Helicobacter faecal antigen
|
Faeces
|
Universal 30ml faecal pot
|
> 1 gram should be sent in standard sealed specimen containers. |
SGH
|
7 days
|
Patients MUST NOT have taken any antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to specimen collection for testing. Samples should be sent within 3 days of collection |
|
Helicobacter serology
|
Faecal antigen testing is now the recommended test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter infection.
|
|
Hepatitis A serology
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis A total antibody]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
1 day
|
This is for testing for immunity. Please state on form if you suspect acute infection.
|
|
Acute Hepatitis serology
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis acute /chronic]
(Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis C IgG +/- Hepatitis A IgM)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
Hepatitis (past history) serology
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis past history]
(Hepatitis B core antibody, Hepatitis A total antibody, Hepatitis C IgG)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
Hepatitis B serology- individual tests
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis B core antibody]
Hepatitis B core IgM
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis B surface antibody]
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis B surface antigen]
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis Bs antigen screen]
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis Be antibody]
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis Be antigen]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
-Send a core antibody for past or ongoing Hep B infection.
-Send a surface antibody for post-immunisation check.
-Send a surface antigen screen if current/ ongoing infection is suspected.
|
|
Hepatitis B DNA/ viral load
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis B DNA]
(Only for use on hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients)
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml (min. vol 200 µl)
|
SGH
|
7-10 days
|
Please note that the viral load assay is time critical. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be held at 2-30°C for up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation in the laboratory. After this time there may be degradation of nucleic acid with a resultant reduction of the viral load value.
|
|
Hepatitis C serology
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis C IgG]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
Hepatitis C RNA/ viral load
[e-QUEST:Hepatitis C RNA]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml (min. vol 200 µl)
|
SGH
|
7-10 days
|
Please note that the viral load assay is time critical. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be held at 2-30°C for up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation in the laboratory. After this time there may be degradation of nucleic acid with a resultant reduction of the viral load value.
|
|
Hepatitis C genotype
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
14 days |
|
|
Hepatitis D serology (IgM/ IgG) & PCR
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
15 days
|
|
|
Hepatitis E serology (IgM/ IgG)
Hepatitis E PCR
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
Reference
|
7 days
5 days
|
|
|
Herpes simplex virus PCR
(HSV1 & HSV2)
[e-QUEST:Herpes simplex PCR]
|
CSF
Swabs
|
Sterile universal
Swab in Viral Transport Medium
|
1 ml CSF
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
Herpes Simplex virus (HSV 1/2) resistance testing
|
Swabs
|
Swab in Viral Transport Medium
|
N/A
|
Reference
|
28 days |
|
|
Herpes simplex virus (HSV 1/2) serology
[e-QUEST:Herpes simplex serology]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
HHV6 & HHV7 Serology
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7-14 days
|
|
|
HHV6 & HHV7 PCR
|
Blood
|
EDTA (purple top)
|
1-5 ml
|
Reference
|
3 days
|
|
|
HHV8 PCR
|
Blood
|
EDTA (purple top)
|
1-5 ml
|
Reference
|
3 days
|
|
|
Histoplasma serology
[e-QUEST:Histoplasma serology]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
Reference
|
7 days
|
|
|
HIV1/2 antigen/ antibody
[e-QUEST:HIV Ag/Ab]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
|
|
HIV resistance testing
|
Blood
(plasma)
|
EDTA
|
10 ml
|
Reference
|
14 days
|
|
|
HIV Viral load
[e-QUEST:HIV viral load]
|
Blood
|
EDTA blood (purple top)
|
5-10 ml (min 1 ml)
|
SGH
|
7-10 days
|
Please note that the viral load assay is time critical. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be held at 2-30°C for up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation in the laboratory. After this time there may be degradation of nucleic acid with a resultant reduction of the viral load value. |
|
Hookworms
|
Send Faecal Parasitology/ OCP
|
|
HTLV 1&2 serology
[e-QUEST: HTLV 1+2 antibody]
|
Blood (serum)
|
Clotted blood (red top tube)
|
5-10 ml
|
SGH
|
2 days
|
PCR: Contact virology
|
|
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing
|
Tissue
|
Sterile Universal |
N/A
|
Reference
|
4 days |
|
|
[e-QUEST: Hydatid reference test]
|
See under Echinococcal serology
|