Ordering Guidance

This assay is not predicted to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-coronavirus.

This test is not intended for otherwise healthy, immunocompetent patients who are likely to have a mild, self-limited respiratory infection. If testing is desired, these patients should be tested using the more targeted diagnostic assays based on their exposure history and clinical presentation.

-FLUNP / Influenza Virus Type A and Type B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Nasopharyngeal Swab

-BPRPV / Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-MPRP / Mycoplasma (Mycoplasmoides) pneumoniae with Macrolide Resistance Reflex, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-COVID / Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA Detection, PCR, Varies

It is not recommended that the following tests be concomitantly ordered when this test is ordered:

-FLUNP / Influenza Virus Type A and Type B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Nasopharyngeal Swab

-LADV / Adenovirus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-LENT / Enterovirus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-BPRPV / Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-MPRP / Mycoplasma (Mycoplasmoides) pneumoniae with Macrolide Resistance Reflex, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

-COVID / Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA Detection, PCR, Varies

This test is appropriate for nasopharyngeal swabs only. For bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washings specimens, order RPB / Respiratory Panel, PCR, Varies.

Shipping Instructions

Specimens that cannot be shipped refrigerated to Mayo Clinic Laboratories within 3 days (72 hours) should be frozen prior to shipment. Specimens received older than 72 hours (refrigerated) or older than 30 days (frozen) will be canceled.

Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal swab

Supplies:

-Culture Swab - Liquid Stuarts/Single Swab (NP Swab) (T515)

-M4-RT (T605)

-Nasopharyngeal Swab (Nylon Mini-Tip Swab) (T861)

Collection Container/Tube: Swab. See Additional Information for acceptable swab.

Submission Container/Tube: Transport medium. See Additional Information for acceptable media.

Specimen Volume: Nasopharyngeal swab in minimum volume of 1 mL of transport media

Collection Instructions:

1. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens should be collected according to standard technique and immediately placed into transport media and submitted for testing.

2. Submit swab in original container.

Additional Information:

If any nasopharyngeal swab or transport media not listed below is utilized, testing may be canceled.

-Acceptable nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are Copan Rayon Swabs, Copan Nylon Flocked Swabs, Copan Polyester Swabs, Puritan Calcium Alginate Swabs, SteriFlock NP Swab

-Acceptable transport media are Remel M4, Remel M4-RT, Remel M5, Remel M6, BD Universal Viral Transport Media (VTM), Copan Universal Transport Media (UTM), PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium (MTM)

-Acceptable collection and transport systems are Sigma-Virocult Viral Collection and Transport System (Swab and transport medium), Copan ESwab Sample Collection and Delivery System (Swab and Liquid Amies Medium), and BD ESwab Collection Kit (Flocked swab and Liquid Amies Medium).