Test directory: Varicella-Zoster Virus, Rapid Cult

Ordering Code 7980
Test Name Varicella-Zoster Virus, Rapid Cult
Alias Varicella-Zoster Virus, Rapid Method, Culture
Preferred Specimen Swab - Vesicle, Lesion, Throat, Eye
Preferred Container VCM medium (Green cap) or equivalent
Other Specimen/Container Tracheal aspirate, Bronchial lavage (BAL)/wash, Sputum,
Tissue biopsy, Fresh (unfixed) tissue, CSF in sterile leak- proof container
Optimum Volume 3 mL
Collection Instructions To maintain optimum viability, place swab or fluid into VCM tube (equal volumes of fluid and media) and transport the specimen refrigerated to the laboratory as soon as possible

Use Dacron or rayon-tipped plastic or metal shaft swabs for specimen collection. Do not use wooden shaft or calcium alginate swabs as they may inhibit recovery of viruses

Do not freeze raw (unpreserved) specimen.
Transport Requirements Oahu: Refrigerated
Airline: Frozen -70
Specimen Stability VCM tube: Ambient: Not Stable, Refrigerated: 72 Hours,
Ambient: Not Stable, Refrigerated: 72 Hours,
Frozen -20: Not Stable, Frozen -70: 30 Days
Raw (unpreserved) specimens:
Ambient: Not Stable, Refrigerated: 72 Hours,
Frozen: Not Stable
Rejection Criteria Wooden shaft swabs, Calcium alginate swab, Raw stool specimens, Dry swabs, Transwabs or gel-based transport medium, DNA probe transports, Tissues in formalin or other fixatives, Glass slides
Avail. Stat NO
Analytic Time 7-10 Days
Methodology Spin Amplification Culture with Monoclonal Fluorescent
Antibody Detection
Reference Lab  Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of June 29, 2025.
Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Cult, Varicella zoster ALL See report.
Specimen Source ALL See report.