- Test Method
- Chemical reaction
- Specimen Required
- Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Plasma, Serum
- Spec Type Min
- Serum 500uL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Reference Ranges
- 0.62 – 1.03 mmol/L.
- Units of Measurement
- mmol/L.
- Contact
- Test performed by RMH Biochemistry (9342 7360)
- Test Method
- Microscopy
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA), Slide, Smear
- Spec Type Min
- 4.5mL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- Same Day / Next Day
- Reference Ranges
- neg
- Related Tests
- Malaria ICT, Malarial PCR
- Contact
- 9342 9670
- Test Method
- TaqMan Real Time PCR assay
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA)
- Spec Type Min
- 200ul
- When Tested
- on request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Normal Ranges
- n/a
- Reference Ranges
- n/a
- Cut Off Lower
- >39 ct-value
- Units of Measurement
- Ct-value
- Related Tests
- n/a
- Billing Advice
- Non-rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9670
- Test Method
- Microscopy
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA), Slide, Smear
- Spec Type Min
- 4.5mL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- Same Day / Next Day
- Reference Ranges
- neg
- Related Tests
- Malaria PCR, Malaria ICT
- Contact
- 9342 9670
- Test Method
- Immunochromatography
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA)
- Spec Type Min
- 4.5mL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- Same Day / Next Day
- Reference Ranges
- neg
- Contact
- 9342 9670
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- EIA
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA), Blood (Lithium Heparin), Blood (Whole), Plasma, Plasma (EDTA), Plasma (Lithium Heparin), Plasma (Sodium Citrate), Serum
- Spec Type Min
- 200 uL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- Up to 7 Days
- Contact
- 9342 9647 / 9342 9648
- Test Method
- Conventional PCR/Sequencing/Analysis
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- 7 Days
- Reference Ranges
- n/a
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR/Conventional PCR, sequencing, analysis
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- 7 Days
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR targeting the measles virus nucleoprotein (N) gene.
- Specimen Required
- Optimal sampling timeframe:
Highest yield within 1-3 days of rash onset. Sensitivity diminishes after 10-14 days
May remain detectable at up to 21 days (urine)
Preferred specimens:
Dry flocked swab (nasopharyngeal/throat) , optimally in viral transport media (VTM)
Urine (first pass)
Nasopharyngeal aspirate, saliva, endotracheal aspirate, bronchioalveolar lavage/washings
N.B. concurrent measles serology is advised
Accepted specimens:
Blood (ACD, EDTA, Gel Tube, Whole), plasma (ACD, EDTA)
Cerebrospinal fluid
Virus isolate, nucleic acid extract
Testing of less common specimen types (biopsied tissues, skin scrapings, paraffin embedded tissues, bone marrow, fluid, non-human specimens) should be discussed with the VIDRL registrar
Specimens NOT suitable
Swab of rash/skin
Swabs with transport media optimised for bacterial sampling (e.g. Stuart’s, Amies, charcoal)
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL (VTM/UTM, blood)
- When Tested
- On request. Typical clinical indications - Suspicion of acute infection including Koplik spots, typical morbilliform rash, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis - Suspected measles vaccine breakthrough - Pneumonia, encephalitis, particularly with exposure history - Please note: requests for measles PCR should be discussed with the relevant public health unit at time of sampling
- Turnaround Time
- Next business day. Samples received and processed prior to 8am may be available on the same day - Urgent same day (business hours) testing for samples arriving later than 8am available upon discussion with local public health units, with subsequent contact to the VIDRL registrar or the Laboratory Manager On Call (LMOC) via the VIDRL switchboard on +61 3 9342 9379 - Urgent after hours testing may be requested by the Department of Health (central) for outbreak investigation with approval obtained by local public health units. This is available 24/7 upon contacting the LMOC on 0438 599 439 (calls only)
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Related Tests
- Other tests: measles vaccine real-time TaqMan PCR, measles genotyping , measles serology - see VIDRL Urgent Testing Instructions
- Billing Advice
- Non-rebatable
- Contact
- 03 9342 9628 (Virus Identification laboratory)
- Test Method
- IgG IgM EIA
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Lithium Heparin), Blood (Sodium Citrate), Blood (Whole), Plasma, Plasma (EDTA), Plasma (Lithium Heparin), Plasma (Sodium Citrate), Serum, Cereberospinal Fluid
- When Tested
- Daily
- Turnaround Time
- Up to 5 Days
- Reference Ranges
- negative = 0.2, Liaison neg <0.9, 0.9 1.1
- Units of Measurement
- Optical density
- Contact
- 9342 9647 / 9342 9648
- Test Method
- Modified trichrome stain
- Specimen Required
- Faeces, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine
- Spec Type Min
- n/a
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- 3 day
- Normal Ranges
- n/a
- Reference Ranges
- n/a
- Cut Off Lower
- n/a
- Units of Measurement
- n/a
- Related Tests
- FMCS, FM1
- Billing Advice
- Medicare rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9670
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Billing Advice
- Non-rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Billing Advice
- Non-rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- Real-time TaqMan PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- same day / next day
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Billing Advice
- Non-rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- IgG,IgM EIA
- Specimen Required
- Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Lithium Heparin), Blood (Sodium Citrate), Blood (Whole), Plasma, Plasma (EDTA), Plasma (Lithium Heparin), Plasma (Sodium Citrate), Serum
- When Tested
- 2x Weekly
- Turnaround Time
- Up to 7 Days
- Reference Ranges
- cutoff control value = 0.100
equiv = 0.1-0.2
low pos = 0.2-0.399
pos ³0.400
- Units of Measurement
- Optical density
- Contact
- 9342 9647 / 9342 9648
- Test Method
- Conventional PCR, real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (ACD), Blood (EDTA), Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Bowel Contents, Brushings, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Milk, Non-human specimen, Nucleic Acid Extract, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Plasma, Plasma (ACD), Plasma (EDTA), Saliva, Scraping, Semen, Serum, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Virus Isolate, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 200uL
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- 7 Days
- Reference Ranges
- 3-45 Ct
- Contact
- 9342 9628
- Test Method
- EIA blocking assay, Total Ab
- Specimen Required
- Blood (Gel Tube), Blood (Whole), Cerebrospinal Fluid, Serum
- When Tested
- 1-2x Weekly
- Turnaround Time
- Up to 7 Days
- Reference Ranges
- pos >50% inhibition
neg <50% inhibition
equiv = 45-55% inhibition
- Contact
- 9342 9647 / 9342 9648
- Test Method
- Culture on solid media and in broth culture
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Blood (Whole), Bone Marrow, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Washings
- When Tested
- On Request
- Turnaround Time
- Up to 12 weeks, dependant on growth characteristics
- Related Tests
- See text (MRL section) for further details
- Billing Advice
- Medicare rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Identification- Phenotypic & molecular depending on isolate identification. Various culture methods for drug susceptibility testing
- Specimen Required
- Culture Isolate
- When Tested
- M-F
- Turnaround Time
- Dependant on growth on subculture
- Normal Ranges
- n/a
- Reference Ranges
- n/a
- Cut Off Lower
- n/a
- Units of Measurement
- n/a
- Related Tests
- See text (MRL section) for further details
- Billing Advice
- Reference function, not billed.
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- Biopsy, Other, Paraffin embedded tissue, Swab, Tissue
- When Tested
- On request
- Reference Ranges
- Ct <40
- Cut Off Lower
- Ct value </= 40
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- All Fluids, Aspirates, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washings, CSF, Culture Isolates, Paraffin Embedded Tissue, Tissue, Washings, Sputum, Whole Blood
- Spec Type Min
- 0.5mL
- When Tested
- M-F
- Turnaround Time
- 24-48 Hours
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture Isolate, Fluid, Lavage, Paraffin embedded tissue, Sputum, Tissue, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 0.5 ml of respiratory specimen
- When Tested
- On request
- Turnaround Time
- 24-48 hours
- Reference Ranges
- Ct value <36
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Related Tests
- RPOBSEQ TBPCR
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- Aspirate, Biopsy, Bone Marrow, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Faeces, Fluid, Lavage, Paraffin embedded tissue, Sputum, Swab, Tissue, Urine, Washings
- Spec Type Min
- 1 ml for CSF
- When Tested
- On request when GeneXpert MTB/RIF-Ultra unavailable
- Turnaround Time
- 24-48 hours
- Reference Ranges
- Ct <40
- Cut Off Lower
- Ct value </= 40
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Related Tests
- See text (MRL section) for further details. Contact laboratory for suitability of specimens. Current method: TaqMan real-time PCR (IS6110 – based target).
- Billing Advice
- Medicare Rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9617
- Test Method
- Real-time PCR
- Specimen Required
- Biopsy, Paraffin embedded tissue, Swab, Tissue
- Spec Type Min
- 6 PET sections, 10-20um thick
- When Tested
- 3x weekly
- Turnaround Time
- 1-2 working days
- Normal Ranges
- n/a
- Reference Ranges
- Ct value <35
- Cut Off Lower
- Ct value </=35
- Units of Measurement
- Ct
- Related Tests
- n/a
- Billing Advice
- Medicare Rebatable
- Contact
- 9342 9617