Parainfluenza Virus Antigen Detection, DFA
Use
Aid in the diagnosis of parainfluenza viruses. When combined with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), represents the most significant upper respiratory pathogen in infants and young children.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
Not provided.
Methodology
Immunoassay (Direct Immunofluorescence (DFA))
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
2-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Nasopharyngeal Swab
Volume
3 mL (1 mL minimum) nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash or nasopharyngeal swab in VCM medium or equivalent
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Collection Instructions
Place into VCM medium or equivalent and transport refrigerated (2‑8 °C) or on wet ice; if delay, freeze at −70 °C or colder; transport on dry ice. Submit early in acute phase (best within first 3 days after onset).
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated up to 4 days; frozen at −70 °C up to 30 days; room temperature and frozen (−20 °C) unacceptable.
Causes for Rejection
Dry swabs; nasal smear; non‑respiratory specimens; specimens in formalin or other fixatives; specimens in non‑viral transport media such as nucleic acid or bacterial transport media; sputum; throat swabs; unpreserved samples.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 4 days |
| Frozen | 30 days at −70 °C |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant