Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

Respiratory PCR Panel

Respiratory PCR panel is a lab developed test.

Analyte(s)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza-1 (HPIV-1), human
parainfluenza-2 (HPIV-2), human parainfluenza-3 (HPIV-3), adenovirus (AdV),
human metapneumovirus (hMPV), rhinovirus (RV), coronaviruses (seasonal CoV
HKU1, CoV NL63, CoV 229E, CoV OC43), enterovirus (EV), influenza viruses

Test Code

RSV: 9360, HPIV-1: 9260*, HPIV-2: 9290*, HPIV-3: 9320*, HAdV: 9025, hMPV: 9040*: RV: 9225*, EV: 1810, FLU: 9100, and COV: 9540

*The test cannot be ordered by external providers- it is added when specimens
participating in specific surveillance programs arrive at the lab

Testing Location

Jacksonville Laboratory
Tampa Laboratory

Testing Department

Virology

Pre-approval Required?

Yes.
Requires prior approval from regional epidemiology and notification to the testing lab. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.

Find a CHD

Required Forms

BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847. Include all required fields.

View Forms

Turn Around time

7-21 business days after receipt at the laboratory

Test note

If this analysis is selected, regardless of the test code entered, the laboratorian will determine which analytes to run based on the current algorithm and the patient’s medical history

Minimum Volume

.3 mL – at least 1 mL is preferred

Collection Media

Dacron swabs in viral transport media VTM or universal transport media (UTM).

Sterile container

Specimen Sources

Upper or lower respiratory swabs, nasal aspirate/wash, bronchoalveolar lavage,
tracheal aspirate, sputum, and autopsy samples

Specimen Labeling

Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB.

Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order. 

Special SPecimen Preparation

None

Storage Conditions

Store specimens at 2–8° C or frozen at -20° C (or lower) until time of shipment.

Packaging and Shipping

Specimens should be shipped on frozen ice packs at 2-8° C, or frozen on dry ice at -20° C (or lower). It the specimens were stored frozen, then they should be shipped frozen to avoid a freeze thaw cycle.

Separate specimens into different bags to help prevent cross contamination.

Include paperwork with specimens but separate them physically by placing the paperwork in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag.

unsatisfactory specimen

1. Requisition form was not fully completed with all required fields
2. No patient identification on specimen tube
3. Patient identifiers on the specimen do not match the requisition or test order
4. Specimen damaged or leaked in transit
5. Specimen was received outside the required temperature range
6. Specimen was received hemolyzed

Interferences and Limitations

Due to the cross reaction between enteroviruses and rhinoviruses, depending on
test results it may be impossible to determine which virus is present.

Swabs with calcium alginate or cotton tips or with wooden shafts, can result in
inactivation of some viruses and inhibit some molecular assays.

Reference Range

Negative: No virus detected

Result Indicator

Positive: Name of virus detected

Negative: No virus detected

Reference lab

CDC if needed

Reflex testing

Adenovirus typing and RSV typing