Blood

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

 Blood

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

antigenemia

2 x 5 mL blood in Lavender top, EDTA.  Blood must be fresh; draw at 7 AM on the day of submission

Specimen Holding Temperature: *Room temp

Area: Virology
Performed: Mon/Tues/Thursdays only

*Positive results are phoned & faxed

immediately.

Blood

Cytomegalovirus antibody (CMV-IgG)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours
 

Blood

Cytomegalovirus antibody (CMV-IgM)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 8 – 10 days

Blood

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Quantitative PCR

2 x 5 mL blood in Lavender top, EDTA.  Specimen Holding Temperature: *Room temp

Area: Virology
Performed: Tues/Thursdays only

*Positive results are phoned & faxed

immediately.

Blood

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology
Expected Time for Results: 24-72 hours

Blood

Hepatitis A antibody (HAV-IgM & IgG)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours
 

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) core antibody (HBcAb)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) core IgM (HBc-IgM)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) DNA PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab
Expected Time for Results: 3 - 6 week

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) e Antibody

5mL Orange top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 7 – 10days

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) e Antigen

5mL Orange top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 7 – 10days

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) surface antibody (HBsAb)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours

Blood

Hepatitis B (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAG)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours

Blood

Hepatitis C (HCV) antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology

Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours
 

Blood

Hepatitis C (HCV) RNA PCR

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

Hepatitis C (HCV) RNA PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to PHL
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

*Will be performed only if HBs Ag positive

Blood

HIV antibody I & II

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

HIV donor and needle stick source

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates
Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 hours M-F Weekends/Holidays; Following working day

Blood

HIV PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

2 x 5 mL blood in Lavender top, EDTA.  Blood must be fresh; draw at 7 AM on the day of submission

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4 ^oC

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

HIV viral load

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

2 x 5 mL blood in Lavender top, EDTA.  Blood must be fresh; draw at 7 AM on the day of submission

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4 ^oC

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

HTLV I / II

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 8 - 10 days

Blood

Infectious mono heterophile antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology

Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours

Blood

Measles IgG Antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C - RT

Area: Virology
 Expected Time for Results: 24 – 72 hours

Blood

Measles IgM Antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C - RT

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 1 week

Blood

Other serological tests

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 8 - 10 days
Note: Other serological tests for infectious diseases are referred to the Provincial Health Lab for testing.

Blood

Rubella IgG antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology

Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours

Blood

Rubella IgM antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 1 week

Blood

Varicella-Zoster IgG and IgM antibody

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology

Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours. 

*For susceptible pregnant woman w/possible exposure phone 905 521 6021
for STAT testing

Blood

VDRL (syphilis)

5mL red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 1 week

Blood

West Nile Virus (WNV) IgG

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

5mL red top, SST

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

West Nile Virus (WNV) IgM

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

5mL red top, SST

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: virology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Blood

West Nile Virus (WNV) RT-PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

5 mL blood in lavender top, EDTA or in yellow top, ACD.

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Ear, Nose, and Throat

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Mouth swab

Virus culture and detection

Swab in viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 4 hours - 4 days

Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab

B. pertussis

Nasopharyngeal swab in sterile container; Suction tubing in sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Bacteriology

Sent out to Public Health Lab

Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Nasopharyngeal suction for neonates

Chlamydia

Viral transport media

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 7 days

Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab

Virus culture and detection

Swab in viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 18 hours - 2 weeks

Eye

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Conjuctival swab and lids

Virus culture

Swab in viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 3 – 10days

Corneal scraping

Chlamydia

Viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 7 days

Corneal scraping

Virus culture

Viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Genital Tract (Females)

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Bartholin's gland abscess

Chlamydia trachomatis detection

viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab
Expected Time for Results: 1 - 2 weeks

Cervical swab

Chlamydia detection

BD ProbeTec swab (Pink – Female)
Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Molecular microbiology
Expected Time for Results: 24 hours

Specimen will also be detected for N. gonorrhea

Contact microbiologist if LGV suspected

Genital ulcer specimen

Virus culture and detection

Swab in viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks

Genital Tract (Males)

Genital ulcer specimen

Virus culture and detection

Swab in viral transport medium

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks

Urethral swab

Chlamydia detection

No longer processed, please submit urine sample

Submit urine sample

Prostatic fluid, seminal fluid or sperm

Chlamydia trachomatis culture

Chlamydia viral transport media

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24-48 hours

Respiratory Tract

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Chlamydia

Sterile container, 1 mL

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Sent out: Provincial Health Lab
Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks
Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Virus culture and detection

Sterile container, 1 mL

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: Culture: 3 – 7days Detection: 18 - 72 hours.

All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processedd for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.

Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates

Chlamydia pneumoniae

Sterile container, 1 mL

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area:  Bacteriology

Sent out to Provincial Health Lab
Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks
Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.

Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates

Virus culture and detection

Sterile container, 2mL

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: Culture: 3 – 7 days Detection: 18 - 72 hours
 

Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)

Chlamydia pneumonia

Sterile container with sterile saline

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Sent out: Provincial Health Lab
Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks
Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens.

Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)

Virus culture

Sterile container with saline

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks
Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens. The appropripriate requistions (MS 349 and MS 331) should be supplied when these specimens are sent.

Spinal Fluids and Other Sterile Body Fluids

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Spinal fluid (CSF) 

Enterovirus PCR

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: Culture: 2

3weeks; Detection: 48 hours

Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids

Herpes simplex I & II

PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 24 – 96 hours.

Please phone 905 521 6021 for STAT processing during regular virology business hours

Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids

**Culture for virus will not be done on CSF

Virus culture and virus detection

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: Culture: 2

3weeks; Detection: 48 hours

Spinal fluid (CSF)

West Nile Virus (WNV) RT-PCR

Completed FORM must accompany specimen

Click to download FORM

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Stools and Other Intestinal

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Stool

Viral culture (when enteroviral meningitis is suspected)

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 4 – 7 days

Stool

Virus detection by electron microscopy (EM) and EIA (Rotavirus, adenovirus) for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
 
Expected Time for Results: 24 – 48 hours

Rectal / large bowel biopsies

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) detection

Sterile container or viral transport media.

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 48 hours

Tissues and Biopsy

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)

Virus culture and detection

Sterile container with sterile saline

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Tissue and biopsy

Viral culture

Sterile container with sterile saline

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks

Urine

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

24-hour urine or mid-stream urine (MSU)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Sterile container

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Area: Virology
Expected Time for Results: 48 hours - 1 week
Notes: Do not refrigerate this specimen.

Urine (Male only)

Chlamydia detection

Sterile container
Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

Areaa:  Molecular microbiology
Expected Time for Results: 24 hours

Specimen will also be detected for N. gonorrhea

Contact microbiologist if LGV suspected

Wounds/Skin Vesicles  

  SPECIMEN   TYPE

   TEST   

CONTAINER

  NOTES  

Skin/vesicles

Virus (HSV, V. Zoster) detection and culture

Un-roof vesicle,

Viral swab in viral transport medium

Area:  Virology

Expected Time for Results:  24 – 72 hours