Herpes Simplex Virus Culture | Cleveland Clinic Laboratories

Herpes Simplex Virus Culture Print

Test Mnemonic

HSVCUL

CPT Codes

87255 - QTY (1)

Performing Laboratory

ARUP

Specimen Requirements

Volume	Type	Container	Collect Temperature	Transport Temperature	Special Instructions
3 mL	Bronch (BAL)	Sterile container		Refrigerated	Indicate specimen source.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume	Type	Container	Transport Temperature	Special Instructions
N/A	Tissue	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Tissue placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Swab, buccal	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Buccal mucosa swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Eye	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Eye swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Swab, genital	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Genital swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Swab, rectal	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Rectal swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Throat	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Throat swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	See note	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Vesicle swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.
3 mL	Fluid, vesicle	Sterile container	Refrigerated	Indicate specimen source.
One	See note	Viral Transport Media	Refrigerated	Neonatal surface swab placed in 3 mL Viral Transport Media (VTM), (ARUP Supply #12884). Indicate specimen source.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume	Type	Container	Collect Temperature	Transport Temperature	Special Instructions
0.5 mL

Stability

Environmental Condition	Description
Refrigerated	72 hours
Ambient	2 hours
Frozen	Unacceptable

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

2 - 6 days

Methodology

Name	Description
Cell Culture
Microscopy

Special Info

Indicate specimen source. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma or serum are unacceptable. Bacterial transport systems, molecular transport systems, calcium alginate, eSwab, dry or wood swabs will be rejected. This test is New York DOH approved.

Clinical Info

Traditional gold standard test for identifying acute herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in active lesions (e.g., vesicles, ulcers, inflamed mucous membranes). Molecular testing is generally preferred.