Hospital Clinicians - Extended Respiratory Viral Panel

Pathlab are pleased to announce the local implementation of an extended respiratory viral panel on the Qiastat-Dx molecular platform based at Pathlab Bay of Plenty. This is a multiplex assay using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.

Validation has now been completed on this assay and it is now available to clinicians at Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua and Taupo Hospitals. It has a turnaround time of one working day.

The assay contains the following viral targets:

Influenza A
Influenza A subtype H1N1/2009
Influenza A subtype H1
Influenza A subtype H3
Influenza B
Coronavirus 229E
Coronavirus HKU1
Coronavirus NL63
Coronavirus OC43
Parainfluenza virus 1
Parainfluenza virus 2
Parainfluenza virus 3
Parainfluenza virus 4
Respiratory Syncytial virus A/B
Human Metapneumovirus A/B
Adenovirus
Bocavirus
Rhinovirus/Enterovirus

Test requests for the extended respiratory viral panel will be accepted if any of the following criteria apply and have been documented on the request form:

ICU/SCBU patient with unexplained respiratory infection

Unexplained respiratory infection in the setting of significant immunocompromise.

Unexplained respiratory infection in children less than a year who have been an inpatient >72 hrs

Infectious diseases specialist request

These criteria have been subject to peer discussion. However, if you feel that there should be any extra testing criteria added to this list, please get in touch with us to discuss further.