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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
SARS-COV-2 ANTIGEN |
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ORDERING INFORMATION: |
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB3951 Geisinger Epic ID: 151550 | |
SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
Nasopharyngeal, nasal turbinate | |
Preferred collection container: |
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Specimen required: |
Swab in 1.0 mL in UTM. | |
Special notes: |
Samples should be put in an inactivation vial prior to sending to GMC for testing.
This test is restricted to Geisinger inpatients. |
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| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Specimen processing instructions: |
The inactivation step must be performed under safety hood. The clinical sample and inactivation buffer vial must come to room temperature BEFORE use.
Add 1 mL of the specimen eluted in UTM/VTM into the tube containing the Sample Inactivation Buffer; vortex for 5-10 seconds. Then let sit for 2 hours at room temperature. |
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Transport temperature: |
Refrigerated at 2-8°C. | |
Specimen stability: |
UTM: 3 hours at room temperature; 12 hours at 2-8°C after collection. Inactivated sample: 2-8°C for 5 days; -20°C for 1 month. |
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Rejection criteria: |
Specimens that exceed stability limits. Specimens stored or transported at incorrect temperature. Swab specimens not transported in medium. Incorrect swabs. | |
TEST DETAILS |
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Interpretation guide: |
If Detected: Indicates the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen and COVID-19 infection. Please isolate per guidelines and seek medical treatment as appropriate. Results should be interpreted with the clinical presentation and exposure history. Results reported to PADOH. If Not Detected: SARS-CoV-2 antigen was not detected. A negative test does not rule out COVID-19 infection. If you have had exposure to someone with known or possible COVID-19, please continue to quarantine from others despite negative test. Please continue to mask and consider re-testing by PCR if symptoms develop. |
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Additional information: |
False negatives may occur due to improper collection. | |
CPT code(s): |
87426 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Test includes: |
Chemiluminescence immunoassay for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen (nucleocapsid protein). | |
Methodology: |
Chemiluminescence Immunoassay |
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Synonyms: |
Covid Ag, Covid antigen, COVAG
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Clinical significance: |
The incubation period for COVID-19 is from 2-14 days following exposure. The nucleocapsid protein antigen is generally detectable in upper respiratory specimens during the acute phase of infection. Antigen testing is less sensitive than PCR testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. False negatives may occur. Antigen test may be used to determine clearance of virus post infection. | |
Doctoral Director(s:) |
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC |
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| Review Date: | 01/26/2023 | |