Chlamydia pneumoniae, PCR

Alphabetical Test listing

Chlamydia pneumoniae, PCR-13386

  
Chlamydia pneumoniae, PCR
  
13386
  
LAB13386
  
CHLPCR
  
Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae, PCR
  

Aid in the diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Chlamydophilia) infection

  
Throat or nasopharyngeal (NP) swab
  
  

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collection:

  1. Tip the patient’s head back.
  2. Gently insert the NP swab into the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, indicating contact with the nasopharynx.   
    1. If any resistance is met in the passageways, do not force the swab; back off and try reinserting it at a different angle, closer to the floor of the nasal canal, or try the other nostril.
  3. Gently rub and roll the swab for 10-15 seconds while the swab is in contact with the nasopharyngeal wall.
  4. The CDC recommends leaving the swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
  5. Slowly remove the swab and place in the transport medium.
  6. Break the swab shaft so that it fits into the medium container and recap tightly.
  7. Label the specimen appropriately. Document the source “NP” on the label.

New England Journal of Medicine video on NP swab collection: Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection Video

 

  

Copan UTM-RT transport (purple cap)

  
Bronchial washings
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
Nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate
  

Sterile container

  
1 mL (minimum 0.2 mL)
  

Sterile container

  

Ambient (preferred) - 7 days

Refrigerated - 7 days

Frozen - 7 days

  
  • Quantity not sufficient for analysis
  • Gross specimen contamination
  • Specimen too old
  • Leaking container
  • Broken tube
  • PCR testing cannot be added on to a sample that has been opened and/or used for other testing. If the sample has already been used for testing, a new specimen will need to be collected.
  
LabCorp Burlington (138263): R-LC
  
3 days/week
  
4 - 5 days
  

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

  

Negative

  
87486
  
03/29/2019
  
02/19/2020
  
12/30/2023