Influenza Testing
The Delaware Public Health Lab performs influenza virus isolation, identification, molecular detection and subtyping. Influenza surveillance is performed as part of the CDC-World Health Organization Influenza surveillance effort. Each year sentinel physicians and other submitters from across the state are provided with specimen collection kits, submission forms, and specific instructions for patient selection and specimen collection, storage, and transport. Influenza viruses that are identified through this program are subtyped to determine the strain(s) of influenza that are circulating in the community. This information, along with a select number of isolates, is provided to CDC and the WHO to be compiled with surveillance data from laboratories around the world.
Tests Offered
- Viral Culture
- Viral Strain Subtyping
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Acceptable Specimens
Viral Culture - nasopharyngeal washes, nasopharyngeal aspirates, nasopharyngeal swabs, lower nasal swabs, throat swabs, bronchoalveolar lavages and lung tissue (this includes lung biopsy, bronchial biopsy, and post mortem lung specimens).
Viral Strain - subtyping is done with a viral culture and PCR.
Important Note: Specimens must be collected in viral transport media for culture or a dry nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for PCR.
Submitting a Specimen
- Obtain Influenza Virus Detection kit from the DPHL. This kit will contain a tube with viral transport media and two dry NP swabs, and the Request for Clinical Testing form.
- Fill out the form completely.
- Label the specimen appropriately.
- Arrange for specimen transport to the laboratory.
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