Valued Westpac Lab Client and Care Provider,
WestPac lab is pleased to offer Monkeypox PCR testing at our Sonic Reference Laboratory.
Collection kits with two swabs are now available for request. Please contact your account service representative or call the lab at 562.906.5227to request supplies.
MONKEYPOX VIRUS PCR (U590)
| Orderable Code: | U590 |
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS:
| Sample Type: | Swabs from skin lesion |
| Preferred Container: | Sterile screw cap tube with O-ring or gasket seal |
| Alternate Container: | Leak-proof sterile screw cap tube |
| Sample Volume: | Two swabs |
| Handling Instructions: | Vigorously swab or brush active lesion with two separate sterile synthetic swabs (e.g. Dacron, polyester, or nylon) with a plastic shaft and breakpoint close to the tip. Do NOT use cotton swabs. Break off or cut the tip of each swab into a sterile tube or container. Each swab should be placed in a separate tube or container. Parafilm may be used to ensure a leak-proof lid if the tube does not have an O-ring or gasket seal. The length of the swabs after breaking or cutting should be no longer than 35mm (1.5 in.). Do NOT add transport media to specimens. Refrigerate or freeze specimen immediately after collection. Freezing is strongly recommended. To maintain optimum specimen viability, transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. |
| Transport Temperature: | Frozen on dry ice |
| Specimen Stability: | Refrigerated: 7 Days; Frozen: 1 Month |
TESTING:
| Frequency: | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Expected Turnaround: | 2 - 3 Days |
| Referral Lab: | SRL |
| CPT: | 87593 |
| Methodology: | Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) |
The following H. Pylori Antibody tests are discontinued effective 8/3/2022:
F557 – H pylori Abs A/G/M (H pylori Antibodies, IgA, IgG, IgM)
F565 – H Pylori IgM
F570 – H Pylori IgA
H Pylori antibody assays are getting discontinued by reference laboratories because of the updated recommendation by the CDC and gastroenterology societies such as American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). For documenting acute H pylori infections ACG recommends fecal antigen test (F910), urea breath test (F571), or histology of biopsy specimens (T001). Serology (IgG, IgA, IgM) indicates past infection, and given its low sensitivity (80-85 vs 95-98%), has no role in managing the patient with acute H Pylori infection. Testing to prove eradication should be performed using a urea breath test, fecal antigen test or biopsy-based testing at least 4 weeks after the completion of antibiotic therapy and after PPI therapy has been withheld for 1–2 weeks.
ACG-H.-pylori-Guideline-Summary.pdf (gi.org)
SARS-COV-2 IgG (W138) is discontinued effective 8/3/2022.
SARS-COV-2 antibody combo (W145) is still available as an alternative to test for and documenting prior infection by SARS-COV-2 native virus. There is a 99.8% agreement between the IgG and the total antibody assay and hence IgG specific testing is no longer necessary. For documenting antibody response after vaccination SARS-COV-2 Spike total antibody assay is also still available (W147).
SARS-COV-2 IgG orders will be automatically directed to total antibody test for same charge.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Zoltan Nagymanyoki M.D, Ph.D., MBA, medical director via email at znagymanyoki@westpaclab.com.