Molecular Diagnostics

Rooms : MSB C- 553, UH C-112
Phone: EXT. 3339

Laboratory Hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

All tests performed in the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory are Nucleic Acid based tests that use DNA and/or RNA as test material. The tests are useful for both qualitative and quantitative analysis as well as genotyping and subtyping of pathogens.

Each specimen must be accompanied by the Molecular Diagnostics lab requisition form #3 (UH 0146) and the appropriate test box must be checked.
All patients must be registered in the University Hospital system.
Requests must have all relevant information filled in. Tests sent for HIV genotyping must have the specific information on the form.
Please call the lab for information on "special collection tubes".

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Test Type	Speciman Required	Turnaround Time
Chlamydia Trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (by PCR)	Female specimen: Cervical swab in Special collection tube. Male specimens: Urine, urethral swab	5-7 days
Cytomegalovirus Quantitative (by PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, Broncho-alveolar lavage, spinal fluid	10-14 days
Clostridium difficile (by realtime PCR)	Stool specimen in appropriate container	Daily
Enterovirus Qualitative (by realtime PCR)	Spinal fluid, nasopharyngeal, throat, or rectal swab collected in special tube, tissue	5-7 days
Hepatitis B Virus Quantitative (by realtime PCR)	5-7 ml. Blood in Red-top tube.	7-14 days
Hepatitis C Virus Qualitative (by PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection	7-14 days
Hepatitis C Virus Quantitative range 100 � 1,000,000 IU/mL (by realtime (PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection	7-14 days
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype (by realtime PCR & invader technology)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection	10-14days
Herpes Simplex Virus I and II qualitative (by realtime PCR)	Swab of lesion collected in special collection tube, biopsies, spinal fluid	7-10 days
Human Papilloma Virus, subtyping of High risk only (by hybridcapture technology)	Cervical swab in Special collection tube, biopsies, preserve-cyt specimen sent for Pap smear.	10-14 days
Human Papilloma Virus - Subtyping of low and/or high risk groups (by hybridcapture technology)	Cervical swab in Special collection tube, biopsies, preserve-cyt specimen sent for Pap smear.	10-14 days
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) RNA Quantitation Range 48-10,000,000 viral copies (by PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection	5-7 days
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) proviral DNA Qualitative (by PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection	10-14 days
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Genotype and viral load for Antiretroviral drug resistance	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, must reach the lab within 4 hours of collection. INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED ON THE REQUEST FORM	10-21 days
JCV Polyoma Virus Qualtitative (by realtime PCR)	5 -7 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, CSF, urine	7-10 days
Methicillin Resistance for Staphylococcus aureus from Positive blood cultures (by realtime PCR)	Done as a reflex test for all blood cultures found to have gram positive cocci in clusters.	Daily
Methicillin Resistance for Staphylococcus aureus from Nasopharyngeal swabs (by realtime PCR)	This test is limited to patients in the adult ICU at this time.	Daily
Respiratory Viral Panel for identification of RSV, Influenza A&B, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus and Metapneumovirus	Nasopharyngeal swab collected in special collection tube, nasopharyngeal washes	3-7 days

ONCOLOGY

Test Type	Speciman Required	Turnaround Time
Deletions in Chromosome 1p For oligodenerogliomas (by PCR/loss of heterozygosity)	Fresh tumor, paraffin block. MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY 5-7 ML OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN LAVENDER TOP (EDTA), and A HISTOLOGY SLIDE.	7-14 days
Microsatellite Instability (MSI) For colorectal cancer (done by microsatellite instability electrophoresis)	Fresh tumor or paraffin block MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY 5-7 ML OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN LAVENDER TOP (EDTA), and A HISTOLOGY SLIDE.	7-14 days
Mutations in the KRAS gene	Fresh tumor or paraffin block MUST BE ACCOMPANIED A HISTOLOGY SLIDE.	7-14 days

GENETICS

Test Type	Speciman Required	Turnaround Time
Mutations in Factor V Leiden Gene	3-5 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube; Buccal swab	7-14 days
Mutations in Factor II Prothrombin Gene	3-5 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube; Buccal swab	7-14 days
Mutations in Cystic Fibrosis gene. CF-70	3-5 ml. blood in Lavender-top (EDTA) tube; Buccal swab	7-14 days