Ordering Recommendation

Traditional gold-standard test for identifying acute herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in active lesions (eg, vesicles, ulcers, inflamed mucous membranes). Molecular testing is generally preferred; Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1/HSV-2) Subtype by PCR (2010095). Orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox virus, cannot be identified clinically using this testing method. Refer to https://www.aruplab.com/monkeypox-testing for more information.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Buccal mucosa, eye, genital, rectal, throat or vesicle swab, neonatal surface swab, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tissue, or vesicle fluid.

Specimen Preparation

Fluid: Transfer 3 mL specimen to a sterile container. (Min: 0.5 mL) Also acceptable: Transfer to 3 mL viral transport media (ARUP Supply #12884) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.
Swab or Tissue:
Place in 3 mL viral transport media (ARUP Supply #12884) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. 
Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Blood, CSF, plasma, or serum. Bacterial transport systems; molecular transport systems; calcium alginate, dry, or wood swabs.

Remarks

Specimen source preferred.

Stability

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Cell Culture/Microscopy

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

Culture negative for herpes simplex virus.

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87255

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0065005 Culture, Herpes Simplex Virus 16291-7
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Culture, HSV
  • Herpes Culture
  • Herpes Simplex Viral Culture
  • HSV Culture
Herpes Simplex Virus Culture