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Pathology handbook

Nasopharyngeal Aspirate culture/microscopy

Test Code: 
SP
Tube Colour: 
Flexible aluminum wire swab
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Nasopharyngeal Aspirate culture/microscopy, NPA MC&S
Collection Requirements: 
SEE NOTES Nasopharyngeal aspirate collected in sterile container:
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Weekdays
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
ASP (Nasopharynx)
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
(Please specify if Bordetella Pertussis culture is required)

Needlestick recipient

Test Code: 
NSR
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Hepatitis B surface Antibody Serology
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml serum tube
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Serology
Note on request that this is the needlestick recipient

Needlestick source

Test Code: 
NSS
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
HBSAG, HCAB, HIV
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml Serum tube (note on request that this is the needlestick source)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Initial tests are Medicare rebatable. Fees may apply if further testing is required.
Laboratory: 
Serology

Neisseria gonorrhoea PCR (Swab)

Test Code: 
CTNGX
Tube Colour: 
Swab - Pink Lid Xpert CT/NG Vaginal / Endocervical Specimen Collection Kit
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Neisseria gonorrhoea PCR
Collection Requirements: 
Urethral swab(fine), rectal, genital, endocervical, vaginal, Swabs must be sent in a Pink lid Xpert CT/NG Vaginal / Endocervical Specimen collection kit. Collection kits are available from Specimen Reception, Pathology.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Sw
Fee: 
Initial tests are Medicare rebatable. Fees may apply if further testing is required.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Specimen should also be taken for Chlamydia detection. ABBOTT multicollection specimen collection kit available from pathology central specimen reception.

Neisseria gonorrhoea PCR (Urine)

Test Code: 
CTNGX
Tube Colour: 
Yellow top universal
Xpert CT/NG Urine Specimen Collection Kit (yellow Lid)
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
N gonorrhoea, Neisseria gonorrhoea PCR
Collection Requirements: 
First pass urine. Ideally patient should NOT have urinated within 2 hours prior to collection. Collection kits are available from Specimen Reception, Pathology.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
U
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for up to date fee advice.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Nipah Virus PCR

Test Code: 
EBOLAP
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml EDTA and a Respiratory Swab._x000D__x000D_ Please contact the pathology service BEFORE collection.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
EwL
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for up to date fee advice.
Reference Laboratory: 
Australian Animal Health Laboratories
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Nipah virus is a PC-4 level pathogen and requests must be discussed with the Medical Microbiologist prior to sending specimen

Niph Virus Antibody

Test Code: 
MISCSO
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml serum tube
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Weekly
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for up to date fee advice.
Reference Laboratory: 
Australian Animal Health Laboratories
Laboratory: 
Serology
Nipah virus is a PC-4 level pathogen and requests must be discussed with the Medical Microbiologist prior to sending specimen

Norovirus PCR

Test Code: 
NOROX
Tube Colour: 
Gold top universal
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Norovirus PCR, Norwalk PCR, Noro outbreak
Collection Requirements: 
Faeces sample collected in sterile container
Reference Range: 
Not Detected
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Faec
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology