Methodology
Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain (DFA)
Synonyms
VZV
Specimen Type
See Collection Instructions
Performing Lab
Quest Diagnostics San Juan Capistrano
Epic ID
LAB07540
Lab Test Days
Monday-Saturday
Standard TAT
1-2 Days
Collection Information
Specimen Required
Vesicular lesion swab in 3 mL VCM medium (green-cap)/equivalent tube or or air dried smear
Container Type
See Below
Collection Instructions
1-3 mL vesicular lesion swab or fluid in steril screw-cap container; Eye swab in VCM medium (green-cap) tube or equivalent also acceptable. To maintain optimal viability, place swab into VCM or equivalent and transport the specimen to the lab as soon as possible. Best recovery is obtained when the specimens are refrigerated at 2-8 C or kept on wet ice following collection and while in transit. If there will be a long delay before processing, specimens in VCM or equivalent should be frozen at -70 C or colder and transported on dry ice. Storage or transport at -20 C is not acceptable. Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate-OK/Frozen-OK
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: Unacceptable (7 Days for slides); Refrigerated: 72 Hours (7 Days for slides); Frozen: (-70) 30 Days and (-20) Unacceptable (Unacceptable for raw unpreserved samples and slides)
Rejection Criteria
Frozen or broken slides; Dried swabs; Specimens past stability or unacceptable temp; Nucleic acid transport; Gel swabs
Test Volume Required
3 mL Body Fluid
Minimum Test Volume
1 mL Body Fluid
Processing Instructions
Indicate source in comments, on specimen, and on batch sheet.
CPT Codes
87290
Revised
09-27-22
© 2023 Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego