Alverno Laboratories
Clinical Test Bulletins

September 2021 Test Bulletin

by | Sep 16, 2021 | Clinical Test Bulletins

September 2021 Test Bulletin

Dear Healthcare Provider,
The information contained here may be very important to your practice. Please take a moment to review this document.

ARUP Updates to HIV Testing

Effective Now
In August, ARUP made changes to their HIV genotyping and resistance testing menu. Four previously offered tests have been consolidated into one Next Generation Sequencing assay. All systems have been notified regarding this change and are in the process of building the new test. Please see page 2 for more information.

BioFire FilmArray Meningitis Panel by PCR

September 7, 2021
Beginning September 7, Alverno will offer the BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel. This is a rapid, qualitative multiplexed nucleic acid-based diagnostic test. This panel can simultaneously detect and identify multiple bacterial, viral and yeast nucleic acids directly from cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Please see page 3 for more information.

Respiratory Multiplex Panel by PCR

September 8, 2021
Beginning September 8, Alverno will offer multiplex testing for COVID-19, Influenza A and B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) on the Abbott Alinity m analyzer. This multiplex assay allows for flexibility in testing. Please see page 4 for more information.

Introducing Alverno’s Client Community

September 13, 2021
We know our clinicians’ time is valuable, and we have been working hard to streamline processes to save you time. Alverno is excited to launch an automated, self-service option for our clients to submit add-on testing or cancellation electronically – without calling and without waiting! Our clinicians or their authorized personnel will now have access to create an account in our HIPAA-compliant Client Community and request additional testing when it is most convenient. This access is available on our website at www.AlvernoLabs.com in the Providers tab. Please see pages 5-9 for instructions on how to set up an account and begin submitting your add-on testing requests.

UTILIZATION GUIDES

ARUP Updates to HIV Testing

Effective Now
In August, ARUP made changes to their HIV genotyping and resistance testing menu. Four previously offered tests have been consolidated into one Next Generation Sequencing assay. All systems have been notified regarding this change and are in the process of building the new test.

New ARUP Test
Alverno Order Code: HIVNG
Test Name: HIV-1 Drug Resistance by NGS
Description: This assay predicts HIV-1 resistance to protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and integrase inhibitors. The protease gene, integrase gene and the reverse transcriptase gene of the viral genome are sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing. Drug resistance is assigned using the Stanford HIVdb database.

Discontinued ARUP Tests
Alverno Order Code: HIVIS
Test Name: HIV-1 Integrase Sequencing

Alverno Order Code: HVGMG
Test Name: HIV-1 GenoSure® MG

Alverno Order Code: HIVGA
Test Name: HIV-1 Genotyping

Alverno Order Code: HIVGI
Test Name: HIV-1 Geno & Integrase

BioFire FilmArray Meningitis Panel by PCR

September 7, 2021
Beginning September 7, Alverno will offer the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel. This is a rapid qualitative multiplexed nucleic acid-based diagnostic test. This panel can simultaneously detect and identify multiple bacterial, viral and yeast nucleic acids directly from cerebrospinal fluid specimens. The 14 targets include:

Bacteria:

  • Escherichia coli K1
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated)
  • Streptococcus agalactiae (Grp B)
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae

Viruses:

  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Enterovirus
  • Herpes simplex virus 1
  • Herpes simplex virus 2
  • Human herpes virus 6
  • Human parechovirus
  • Varicella zoster virus

Yeast:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii

Ordering Information
Alverno Order Code: BFMEN
Test Name: Meningitis Encephalitis Panel, CSF by PCR
Guidance: Rapid detection of infectious agent in individuals with signs and/or symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis.

Note: This panel is not a replacement for CSF bacterial and/or fungal culture and cryptococcal antigen testing for at-risk patients.

Specimen Requirements
Specimen: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via lumbar puncture
Collection Device: Sterile container
Stability: Room temperature for 24 hours; refrigerated for 7 days

Cause for Rejection: Leaking or contaminated samples; CSF samples from indwelling devices

CPT code: 87483

Respiratory Multiplex Panel by PCR

September 8, 2021
Beginning September 8, Alverno will offer multiplex testing for COVID-19, Influenza A and B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) on the Abbott Alinity m analyzer. This multiplex assay allows for flexibility in testing. Due to symptom similarities between these viral infections, the CDC has recommended multiplex testing for patients presenting with signs and symptoms of a respiratory viral infection. These tests are offered in addition to our current standalone COVID-19 assays.

Ordering Information
Alverno Order Code: COFLU
Test Name: COVID-19, Flu A/B Panel by PCR
Guidance: Suspected Viral Respiratory Infection

Alverno Order Code: CFLUP
Test Name: COVID-19, Flu A/B, RSV Panel by PCR
Guidance: Suspected Viral Respiratory Infection in individuals <18 and >/=60 years of age

Specimen Requirements
Specimen: Anterior Nasal or Nasopharyngeal Swab

Collection Devices:

  • Abbott Universal Collection Device
  • 3 mL UTM® (Universal Transport Media)
  • Viral Transport Media

Stability: Refrigerated for 80 hours; frozen for 7 days

Cause for Rejection: Leaking or contaminated samples

CPT codes:

  • COVID-19, Flu A/B Panel by PCR: 87636
  • COVID-19, Flu A/B, RSV Panel by PCR: 87637