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Test Code SCOF3 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) and Influenza Virus Type A and Type B RNA, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies


Specimen Required


Preferred:

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal swab

Container/Tube: Sterile container with viral transport media

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media.

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.

2. Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4 or M5), saline, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).

 

Specimen Type: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media.

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Types: Oropharyngeal (throat) swab, nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab

Supplies:

-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

-Swab, Sterile Polyester (T507)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: BBL Culture Swab, COPAN Mid-turbinate Swab

Acceptable: Dacron-tipped swab with plastic handle

Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container with transport media

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media.

Collection Instructions: Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4, or M5), saline, or PBS. Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).

 

Specimen Types: Bronchial washings, endotracheal aspirate, sputum

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media.


Useful For

Simultaneous detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 (cause of COVID-19), influenza A virus, and influenza B virus in upper or lower respiratory tract specimens from individuals with flu-like illnesses

Disease States

  • Influenza A
  • Influenza B

Reporting Name

SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B PCR, V

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

Upper respiratory tract swab: See Specimen Required; lower respiratory specimens: 0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Varies Frozen (preferred) 14 days
  Refrigerated  72 hours

Reject Due To

Bloody specimens Reject
Calcium alginate-tipped swab Reject
Wooden swab Reject
Dry swab Reject
Glass transport tubes Reject
Transport swab containing gel or charcoal additive Reject
Transport media tubes containing the entire swab Reject
Sample tubes containing guanidine isothiocyanate, guanidine thiocyanate, or guanidine hydrochloride Reject

Reference Values

Undetected

Method Description

The SARS-CoV-2/Flu A/B/RSV assay (Panther Fusion System, Hologic, Inc.) is a fully automated, multiplexed, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in vitro diagnostic assay cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for qualitative detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza B virus (Flu B), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in nasopharyngeal specimens (ie, upper respiratory tract: URT) obtained from individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. In addition to testing URT specimens, this assay is being used to test lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimens, which are not cleared by FDA for testing with this assay. In the testing laboratory, 0.5 mL of the viral transport medium with URT swab is transferred to the Hologic Specimen Lysis Tube (SLT) to be loaded onto the Panther Fusion system. For LRT specimens, 0.25 mL of the specimen from the transport container and 0.25 mL of sterile Gibco 1x PBS, pH 7.4 are transferred into the SLT for loading onto the instrument system.

 

This assay involves the following steps: sample lysis, nucleic acid capture and elution transfer, and multiplex RT-PCR in which analytes are simultaneously amplified, detected, and differentiated. Nucleic acid capture and elution take place in a single tube on the Panther Fusion system. The Internal Control-S (IC-S) is added to each test specimen and positive and negative assay controls via the working Panther Fusion Capture Reagent-S. The IC-S reagent monitors specimen processing, amplification, and detection. The eluate is transferred to the Panther Fusion system reaction tube containing the assay reagents, and multiplex RT-PCR is then performed on the eluted nucleic acid.

 

Viral target-specific forward and reverse primers and probes simultaneously amplify, detect, and differentiate among the viral target sequences with various fluorescence channels. The assay software compares the fluorescence signals generate to predetermined cutoff values to produce a qualitative result for the presence or absence of each virus.(Instruction manual: SARS-CoV-2/Flu A/B/RSV assay [Panther Fusion System], AW-32326-001. Hologic, Inc.; Rev. 003. 03/2026)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Specimen Retention Time

4 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

87636

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
SCOF3 SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B PCR, V 95422-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
SCOS3 SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B, Source 31208-2
622028 Influenza A virus PCR 92142-9
622029 Influenza B virus PCR 92141-1
622030 SARS CoV-2 RNA, PCR 94500-6