| Test: | Mumps Virus Culture |
| Synonym: | |
| Method: | Cell culture / Immunofluorescence |
| Availability: | Daily; results within 10 - 14 days |
| Specimen: | Saliva, Nasopharyngeal aspirate/washing, first-voided morning urine, CSF |
| Collection Device: | Viral transport medium (for saliva), nasopharyngeal viral transport swab, sterile, leak-proof container (for urine and CSF) |
| Volume: | No minimum |
| Storage/Transport: | Submit specimens at 2 - 8 °C, do not freeze |
| Unacceptable: | Dry swab, wood-shafted swab, calcium alginate swab, frozen specimen, leaking container |
| Specimen Stability: | After collection: ambient, 2 hours; refrigerated, 3 days; frozen, unacceptable |
| Reference Interval: | Culture negative for mumps virus |
| Reportable Disease: | A positive culture is reportable |
| Comments: | Specimens must be no more than 24 hours old and received at Regional Pathology Services no later than 1500 on Monday-Thursday. Due to specimen transport time, collection on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday is discouraged. Please call client services as soon as possible if sample is collected on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. |
| Revised: | 2/13/2012 |