Viral Culture, Cerebrospinal Fluid
Related Information
Synonyms Cerebrospinal Fluid for Viral Culture; CSF for Viral Culture; Viral Culture, CSF
Applies to Viral Culture, Aseptic Meningitis
Test Includes Isolation and identification of enterovirus, mumps, measles, rubella, herpes simplex virus
Laboratory Virology, BHS-03-305
Request Form Microbiology; Viral History Form
Phone (212) 305-9118
Availability Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM
Turnaround Time Positive: 3-7 days; negative: 14 days
Special Instructions
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 Enterovirus meningitis: In addition to CSF, send throat swabs and rectal swabs in separate vials of VTM. |
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Mumps meningitis: In addition to CSF, send throat swabs in VTM and urine in a sterile container. |
Obtain Viral History Form and viral transport medium from the Virus Laboratory, BHS-03-305. Appropriate clinical history and source of specimen are essential to interpretation and should be received with the specimen. The physician's name and beeper number must be included on the request form.
Specimen Cerebrospinal fluid and additional specimens listed under Special Instructions
Volume 3 mL CSF
Minimum Volume 1 mL CSF
Storage Instructions Transport specimen to the laboratory immediately. If Virus Laboratory is not open, refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze specimen.
Causes for Rejection Swab send in bacterial Culturette® not in viral transport medium, specimen leaked in transit
Reference Range Negative in tissue culture
Use Determine etiological agent of viral CNS diseases
Methodology Standard tissue culture tubes, shell vial technique with fluorescent monoclonal antibodies
