As a general guide, turnaround times are approximately three days; however, this is dependent on the workload of the laboratory at the time of sample receipt.
Investigations
Adenovirus PCR (Quantitative)
Specimen type: whole blood
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: weekly
HSV / VZV / Adenovirus / Chlamydia (vesicles, eyes)
Specimen type: swab in universal transport medium (red or green top)
Volume assay: N/A
Frequency: weekly
On EPR: VZV / HSV PCR, vesicle swab or VZV / HSV / Adeno / Chlamydia PCR, non-genital swab (eyes)
HSV (genital swabs)
Swabs of lesions from the anogenital region in red or green top UTM
Volume: N/A
Frequency: 2-3 times a week
On EPR: HSV PCR, genital sample
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load PCR
Specimen type: whole blood / urine
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: twice weekly
Urine for the diagnosis of congenital CMV only
Epstein Barr virus (EBV) viral load PCR
Specimen type: whole blood
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: twice weekly
BK virus (BKV) viral load PCR
Specimen type: plasma / serum
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: at least twice per week
Hepatitis C (HCV) RNA viral load PCR
Specimen type: plasma / serum
Volume assay: 10ml
Frequency: daily Monday to Friday
On EPR contained in Hepatitis B or C positive CareSet
Hepatitis B (HBV) DNA viral load PCR
Specimen type: plasma / serum
Volume assay: 10ml
Frequency: daily Monday to Friday
On EPR contained in Hepatitis B or C positive CareSet
HIV viral load PCR
Specimen type: plasma
Volume assay: 10ml
Frequency: daily Monday to Friday
On EPR contained in Specialist HIV CareSet
Parvovirus PCR
Specimen type: whole blood
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: weekly
Please discuss with Microbiology medical staff.
Mpox PCR
Specimen type: swab in universal transport medium (red or green top)
Volume assay: N/A
Frequency: next available run Monday to Friday
Mycoplasma Genitalium
Specimen type: urine / genital swab in UTM
Volume assay: urine 8ml minimum
Frequency: daily Monday to Friday
Hepatitis E PCR
Specimen type: plasma
Volume assay: 4ml
Frequency: weekly
