- All specimens submitted to Laboratory Services should be collected and handled with care. Improperly collected or inadequate specimens may give laboratory results of questionable value. Complete information is essential and should be supplied on the electronic order form accompanying the specimen. Testing may be delayed if all requested information is not submitted with the specimen. Specimens must be mailed in containers that meet federal regulations. Please refer to the IATA Guidance Diagrams on our Website for Infectious Substances or contact Laboratory Services for assistance.
- Analytical Days: Monday through Friday unless otherwise indicated. Fees and services are subject to change by Laboratory Services.
- For the most accurate CPT Code assignment, please refer to the 2025 current procedural terminology manual.
- Specific tests not in this list may be available. Consult Laboratory Services at 701.328.6272.
Refer to Bacterial Reference Culture
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in anaerobic tubed medium such as Anaerobic Thio, Amies (with charcoal) transport medium, PORT-A-CUL tubes, etc.. Plates not accepted.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not applicable
Turn Around Time: 7 days
CPT Code: 87076
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (15-25OC): 5 Days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >5 Days
Normal Value: West Nile Virus EIA - Negative; Western Equine, Eastern Equine, St. Louis, California Group IFA < 1:16
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 86654 - WEE
86652 - EEE
86653 - SLE
86651 - California
86788 - West Nile
Cost: $137
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or a piece of agar with growth and send in a sterile container. Plates are not accepted. For human clinical samples refer to American Society for Microbiology (ASM) https://asm.org/articles/cphmc/laboratory-response-network-lrn-sentinel-level-c.
Notify Laboratory Services for referral instructions if your laboratory is unable to rule out BT agents.
Turn Around Time: 1 to 2 days
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
Stability: Ambient (15-30OC): 20 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 20 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not applicable
Turn Around Time: 7 days
CPT Code: 87077
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal specimen, in universal transport media, provided in kit.
This Helicase-Dependent Ampliflication (HDA) assay simultaneously tests for the following pathogens: Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella pertussis
Click here for collection instructions.
Click here for collection kits.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 2 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 4 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 5 months
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87798
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute and convalescent sample phase sera recommended (at least 14 days apart)
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 14 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): Up to 2 months
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 86000
Cost: $26
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or a piece of agar with growth and send in a sterile container. Plates are not accepted. For human clinical samples refer to American Society for Microbiology (ASM) https://asm.org/articles/cphmc/laboratory-response-network-lrn-sentinel-level-c.
Notify Laboratory Services for referral instructions if your laboratory is unable to rule out BT agents.
Turn Around Time: 1 to 4 days
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or a piece of agar with growth and send in a sterile container. Plates are not accepted. For human clinical samples refer to American Society for Microbiology (ASM) https://asm.org/articles/cphmc/laboratory-response-network-lrn-sentinel-level-c.
Notify Laboratory Services for referral instructions if your laboratory is unable to rule out BT agents.
Turn Around Time: 1 to 4 days
Cost: No Charge
Refer to Arboviral Encephalitis Panel
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
Stability: Ambient/Refrigerated (4-25OC): 20 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not applicable
Turn Around Time: 1 week
CPT Code: 87106
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Rectal swab specimen collected with BD BBL liquid Stuart’s dual culture swab
Stability: Ambient (15-28OC): 5 days; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: KPC, NDM, VIM, OXA-48, and IMP Not Detected
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87798x5
Cost: $63
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
*Please submit antimicrobial susceptibility results from instrument printout.
A report containing test results to support infection prevention measures will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: Endocervical, oral, rectal, urine, throat, vaginal, or male urethral specimen in Hologic multi specimen collection kit
Click here for collection instructions.
Click here for collection kits.
Stability: Urogenital Ambient/Refrigerated (2-30OC): 60 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 7 days to 12 months if longer storage is needed
Stability: Urine Ambient/Refrigerated (2-30OC): 30 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 7 days to 12 months if longer storage is needed
Stability: Extragenital (throat and rectal) Ambient/Refrigerated (4-30OC): 60 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 60 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87491 - Chlamydia
87591 - Gonorrhoeae
Cost: $21 - Correctional and Rehabilitation facilities, and Safety Net facilities will be charged $11
Acceptable Specimen: Contact Laboratory Services for specific recommendation regarding collection and transportation.
All testing will be performed by the Minnesota Department of Health and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Turn Around Time: Procedure dependent
See SARS-CoV-2
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
A report with the organism identification will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Refer to Arboviral Encephalitis Panel
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (20-25OC): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 2 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >2 days
Normal Value: <1:8 or Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86694 -Herpes EIA
86735 -Mumps IFA
86762 -Rubella CLIA
86765 -Measles IFA
86787 -VZV IFA
Cost: $217
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal, skin lesion material, and throat in viral transport medium. CSF and stool in sterile container.
Stability: Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: >7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 3 days
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
*Facilities using molecular methods without conventional culture may send original stool sample.
*Cultures of verotoxigenic E. coli need to be shipped as a Category A specimen.
A report with serotyping results will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 2 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >2 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 86780
Cost: $26
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or a piece of agar with growth and send in a sterile container. Plates are not accepted. For human clinical samples refer to American Society for Microbiology (ASM) https://asm.org/articles/cphmc/laboratory-response-network-lrn-sentinel-level-c.
Notify Laboratory Services for referral instructions if your laboratory is unable to rule out BT agents.
Turn Around Time: 1 to 4 days
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Sterile containers or on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Plates will not be accepted. Contact Laboratory Services for assistance with systemic isolates such as histoplasma, coccidioides and blastomyces.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 10 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 10 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: No fungi isolated
Turn Around Time: Negative culture - 2 weeks; Positive culture - 2 to 6 weeks
CPT Code: 87101-Skin, Hair, Nails
87102 -Other
87103 -Blood
87106 -Yeast
87107 -Mold ID
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in tubed medium such as Sabouraud Dextrose Agar or Amies transport medium. Plates not accepted. Contact Laboratory Services for assistance with systemic isolates such as histoplasma, coccidioides and blastomyces.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 10 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 10 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not applicable
Turn Around Time: 2 to 6 weeks
CPT Code: 87106 - Yeast
87107 - Mold
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: 1 ml stool in Cary-Blair medium
This assay simultaneously tests for the following pathogens: Adenovirus F (40/41), Astrovirus, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile toxin (A/B), Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica, Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) lt/st, Giardia lamblia, Norovirus (GI/GII), Plesiomonas shigelloides, Rotavirus A, Salmonella, Sapovirus, Shiga-like toxin producing E.coli (STEC) stx1/stx2, Escherichia coli 0157, Shigella/Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), Vibrio, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica
Stability: Stool in Cary Blair - Ambient (15-25OC): 4 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 4 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87507
Cost: $189
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
The isolate will be forwarded to Minnesota Public Health Laboratory for testing.
A report with serotyping results will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Handling fees are dependent on test requested. Call Laboratory Services for test specific handling fee information.
CPT Code: 12345
Cost: $16
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Refrigerated (2-8OC): 5 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >5 days
Normal Value: Negative
*Positive results are sent to CDC for Confirmation.
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 86790
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (15-30OC): 2 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-40OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86709
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 4 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86705
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 4 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 4 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >4 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86704
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Positive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86706
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 3 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Confirmatory testing will be performed, at no additional charge, on all reactive specimens
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87340
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 4 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
*Positive tests will reflex to Hepatitis C Virus RNA
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86803
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: 3 ml serum or 5 ml whole blood
Stability: Serum - Ambient (15-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen (-15OC or colder): >3 days
Stability: Whole Blood - Ambient/Refrigerated (2-30OC): 6 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not Applicable
Turn Around Time: Weekly
CPT Code: 87902
Cost: $163
Acceptable Specimen: 3 ml serum or 5 ml whole blood
Stability: Serum - Ambient (9-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 5 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >5 days
Stability: Whole Blood - Ambient/Refrigerated (2-30OC): 6 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: Weekly
CPT Code: 87522
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 2 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >2 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86694
Cost: $42
Acceptable Specimen: Swab, in viral transport medium, from any lesion.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 2 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87529 - Herpes
87798 - Varicella
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: 2 mL serum (Qualitative) or plasma (Quantitative); tubes containing ETDA or Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) anticoagulants or Plasma Preparation Tubes (PPTs)
Stability: Primary Tube- Ambient (2-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-30OC): 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Stability: Secondary Tube- Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-30OC): 5 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 90 days
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: Weekly
CPT Code: 87536
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: 3 ml serum or plasma
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 3 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
*Confirmatory testing will be performed, at no additional charge, on all reactive specimens following current CDC and CLSI guidelines for 4th Generation HIV Ab/Ag Combo tests.
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87389 - Screen
86689 - Confirmation
Cost: $11
Acceptable Specimen: 1 ml serum or plasma
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 2 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 86689
Cost: $42
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
| Normal Value: | Measles IgG > 1:16 |
| Mumps IgG > 1:16 | |
| Rubella - Positive | |
| Varicella IgG > 1:16 |
Turn Around Time: Tuesday and Thursday
CPT Code: 86765 - Measles
86735 - Mumps
86318- Rubella
86787 - Varicella
Cost: $128
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab in viral transport medium or universal transport media.
Click here for collection instructions.
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 4 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not detected
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 87631
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: Specimen in 1.5ml to 3ml viral transport medium. Refer to Specimen Collection and Handling Section for instructions.
Click here for collection instructions.
Click here for collection kits.
Sub-typing: A - H3, 2009H1N1, H5, H7
Stability: Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen (-70OC or colder): >3 days
Normal Value: Not Applicable
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 87501
87501x6
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Bronchial, lung, sputum, tissue in sterile container
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 7 days
CPT Code: 87081 - Culture
87077- Culture ID
Cost: $58
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml of serum
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86618- Total
86617 - IgG, IgM Confirmation
Cost: $32 - Confirmatory testing will be performed on all positive or equivocal specimens for an additional $68 charge
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Whole blood sample in EDTA prior to treatment plus thick and thin blood films made from fresh blood or EDTA (if prepared within one hour) if available.
The sample will be forwarded to CDC for species confirmation and evaluation of emerging drug resistance.
A report will be issued to the submitting facility.
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (20-25OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: <1:8
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86765
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 9 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >9 days
Normal Value: Positive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86765
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal swabs (preferred) or aspirates, nasal swabs, throat swabs, in viral transport medium. 50 ml urine in sterile container.
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >3 days
Stability: Urine - Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87798
Cost: $63
Refer to Orthopox (Monkeypox) Panel PCR
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (20-25OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: <1:8
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86735
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 9 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >9 days
Normal Value: Positive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86735
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: Buccal swabs (preferred), throat swabs, and nasopharyngeal swabs or aspirates in viral transport medium. Urine in sterile container. Molecular grade swabs only. Dacron or rayon swabs with plastic or metal shafts only. Calcium alginate swab and cotton swabs with wooden shafts are unacceptable.
Click here for collection instructions
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >3
Stability: Urine - Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87798
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: Sterile container
Contact Laboratory Services for collection and mailing kit.
Click here for Specimen Collection and Handling instructions.
All new positive mycobacterium direct smears on sputum, bronchial lavage, and bronchial wash samples will automatically reflex to perform the Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampin PCR test.
Stability: Whole Blood/Bone Marrow - Ambient (15-25OC): 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Stability: Other - Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Mycobacteria Culture - No Mycobacteria isolated; AFB Smear - No AFB seen
Turn Around Time: 2 to 8 weeks
CPT Code: 87206 - Direct Smear
87015 - Concentration
87116 - Presumptive Culture
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate on tubed solid medium such as LJ slants, 7H10 slants, etc. Plates or liquid medium not accepted.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): Up to 180 days post collection; Refrigerated (2-8OC): Up to 180 days post collection; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not Applicable
Turn Around Time: 2 to 6 weeks
CPT Code: 87118 - Mycobacteria ID
Cost: $58
Isolates for susceptibility testing will be referred to a reference laboratory.
Susceptibility testing on M .tuberculosis will be submitted on all isolates from patients considered to be a new case as part of the initial culture procedure.
*Susceptibility testing on mycobacteria isolates other than M. tuberculosis will be submitted to a reference laboratory upon request with a handling fee.
Normal Value: Susceptible
Turn Around Time: Not Applicable
Cost: No Charge - Susceptibility testing on Mycobacteria isolates other than M. tuberculosis will be submitted to a reference laboratory upon request with a handling fee.
Acceptable Specimen: 1 ml Sputum
2 samples per patient in a 3 month period or 12 months after the end of treatment.
The PCR test is only intended for use on specimens from patients showing signs and symptoms consistent with active pulmonary tuberculosis. The PCR test must be performed in conjunction with mycobacterial culture.
Stability: Ambient (9-35OC): 3 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 10 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: MTB Not detected
Turn Around Time: Test performed as needed
CPT Code: 87556
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Endocervical, urine, vaginal, penile meatal or male urethral specimen in a Hologic specimen collection kit.
Stability: Swab- Ambient (2-30OC): 60 days; Refrigerated (2-30OC): 60 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >60 days
Stability: Urine- Ambient (2-30OC): 30 days; Refrigerated (2-30OC): 30 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >30 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 87563
Cost: $16
Can only be ordered as part of a dual test for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Refer to Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae TMA
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
The isolate may be forwarded to Minnesota Public Health Laboratory for testing.
A report with serotyping results will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: Two sterile, dry synthetic swabs (including, but not limited to polyester, nylon, or dacron) per lesion labeled per site collected OR in synthetic swabs in VTM
Click here for collection instructions.
This test includes: Orthopox, Non-variola Orthopox and Varicella zoster Virus PCR
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): Up to 30 days
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87593
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: At least two thin blood films and two thick films made from fresh blood are preferred. Stain one slide set (one thin and one thick) with Wright-Giemsa or Giemsa (preferred) and send the second slide set unstained.
Blood containing anticoagulant (EDTA) can be used if films are prepared within one hour.
Air dry and send in protected container to prevent breakage.
The submission of a single blood specimen will not rule out blood parasites. Additional blood specimens are recommended.
Include EDTA whole blood and serum tubes for possible referral.
Pertinent travel history is requested.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: No parasites seen
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87207 - Thin
87015 - Thick
Cost: $30
Acceptable Specimen: Stool specimen in Total-Fix preservative includes wet mount, trichrome stain and acid-fast stain (for Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Cystoisospora belli). Microsporidia examination is not included. If fresh stool sample is collected, sample must be placed in Total-Fix collection container within 30 minutes.
Two specimens are recommended, while three specimens offer the best chance of organism recovery.
Antibiotics such as metronidazole or tetracycline may interfere with the recovery of intestinal parasites, particularly the protozoa.
If specimen is collected in formalin, trichrome stain will not be performed.
*If Schistosomiasis is suspected, please send urine and stool specimens.
Click here for collection kits.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: No parasites seen
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87177 - Conc. & ID
87209 - Trichrome
87206 - Acid Fast
87168 - Macro.
Cost: $30
Refer to Bordetella species HDA
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (18-30OC): 3 days; Refrigerated(2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87340
Cost: $27
Serum for IFA testing will be referred to a reference laboratory.
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute and convalescent (3 weeks post onset) phase sera
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 6 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >6 days
Normal Value: < 1:256 or a less than fourfold increase in titer between acute and convalescent sera.
Turn Around Time: 7 days
CPT Code: 86638
Cost: $27
Acceptable Specimen: Whole Blood
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87798
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Four tube blood collection kit or 5-6 ml lithium heparin without gel
Click here for collection instructions
Click here for collection kits.
Samples must be received Monday through Thursday.
Stability: Refer to Collection Instructions link above. Incubated and centrifuged plasma in QFT-Plus tubes - Refrigerated (2-8OC): 28 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >28 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 86480
Cost: $42
Acceptable Specimen: Animal testing only. Full cross section of brain stem and cerebellum. Contact Laboratory Services for assistance.
Please submit a rabies request form for each specimen.
Please call for consultation if animal brain cannot be removed prior to submission.
*$50 charge will be assessed for brain extraction of animals larger than a rodent.
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): Specimen must be shipped cold; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal swabs in viral transport medium or saline
This assay simultaneously tests for the following pathogens:Adenovirus, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus OC43, SARS CoV-2, Human Metapneumovirus, Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Influenza A, Influenza A/H1, Influenza A/H3, Influenza A/H1-2009, Influenza B, Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 & 4, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Click here for collection instructions.
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 4 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 3 days; Frozen (-15OC or colder): 30 days
Normal Value: Not Detected
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: PLA 0202U
Cost: $168
Acceptable Specimen: Liquid, soil, powder, wipes, swabs, paper, plant material and food samples
Turn Around Time: 1 day
Acceptable Specimen: Venous whole blood preserved with EDTA or acid citrate dextrose Solution A (ACD-A)
This assay is intended for the qualitative detection and differentiation of R. rickettsii and R. prowazekii DNA. Specimens can be collected from individuals with signs or symptoms indicative of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or epidemic typhus and epidemiological risk factors consistent with potential exposure.
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): Up to 2 months
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87798
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute and convalescent (3 weeks post onset) phase sera
Stability: Ambient: 1 day; Refrigerated: 3 days; Frozen: >3 days
Normal Value: < 1:64 or less than fourfold increase in titer between acute and convalescent sera.
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86757
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (15-25OC): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 5 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >5 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
*Reactive RPR can be confirmed by TP-PA at facilities request. Contact Laboratory Services to order.
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86592
Cost: $10
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum. Include immunization history on test request form.
Stability: Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86762
Cost: $79
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Positive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86762
Cost: $32
Refer to Measles Virus
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
*Facilities using molecular methods without conventional culture may send original stool sample.
*Serotypes will no longer be reported back to the submitting facility.
A report indicating if the isolate is a Salmonella species will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: Nasopharyngeal swab in viral/universal transport medium or nasal or oropharyngeal swab in Hologic direct load collection device in sterile screw cap container
Click here for collection instructions.
Stability: VTM/UTM- Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 4 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Stability: Hologic Collection Device- Ambient (15-25OC): 6 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 6 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 2 days
CPT Code: 87635
Cost: No Charge
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum or plasma
Stability: Ambient: 2 days; Refrigerated: 21 days; Frozen: >21 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 86769
Cost: No Charge
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Shiga toxin positive specimen in appropriate transport media (MacConkey broth, GN broth, etc.)
*Facilities using molecular methods without conventional culture may send original stool sample.
*Cultures of verotoxigenic E.coli need to be shipped as a Category A specimen.
A report indicating if Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli was isolated will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
*Facilities using molecular methods without conventional culture may send original stool sample.
A report with serotyping results will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: Contact Laboratory Services for specific recommendation regarding collection and transportation.
Call the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services if you suspect smallpox, an adverse reaction to smallpox vaccination or require consultation on an unusual or pustular rash illness.
Confirmation for Smallpox will be performed by the Minnesota Department of Health and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The smallpox risk level should be clearly noted on the laboratory requisition form accompanying any specimen labeled as “vesicle,” “blister,” “rash,” or otherwise suggestive of acute/generalized vesicular or pustular rash illness.
Turn Around Time: Preliminary PCR results within 1 day for vaccinia, VZV and non variola panel
Refer to Arboviral Encephalitis Panel
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
Our laboratory participates in a project for the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN). Isolate will be forwarded to the Minnesota Public Health Laboratory for serotyping and susceptibility testing.
*A report with serotyping results is available upon request.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
This panel starts with chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay screen (CLIA). If positive cases are identified, follow up testing will include RPR, and TPPA as needed.
Stability: Ambient (15-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86780 - CLIA
86592 - RPR
86780 - TPPA
Cost: $10 - $16 charge when reflex testing is needed for reactive cases
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (15-30OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 5 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >5 days
Normal Value: Nonreactive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86780
Cost: $10
Acceptable Specimen: 1.5 mL serum, 1.0 mL urine, CSF and amniotic fluid
*Must meet CDC requirements, this form must accompany the specimen sent to the lab.
Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 7 days
Normal Value: Zika Negative, Chikungunya Negative, Dengue Negative
Turn Around Time: 7 days
CPT Code: 87801
Cost: No Charge
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
A report with susceptibility to vancomycin will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml serum
Stability: Ambient (15-30OC): 3 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: Positive
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86787
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient (20-25OC): 1 day; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): >7 days
Normal Value: <1:8
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 86787
Cost: $32
Acceptable Specimen: Swab, in viral transport medium, from any lesion.
Stability: Ambient (Up to 30OC): 2 days; Refrigerated (2-8OC): 7 days; Frozen (-20OC or colder): 7 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 1 day
CPT Code: 87529 - Herpes
87798 - Varicella
Cost: $63
Mandatory Reportable Condition click HERE to report
Mandatory Isolate Submission
Acceptable Specimen: Pure isolate in appropriate tubed medium or Amies (with charcoal) transport medium. Plates not accepted.
A report with the organism identification will be issued to the submitting facility.
Stability: Ambient: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Refer to Arboviral Encephalitis Panel
Acceptable Specimen: 2 ml late acute phase serum
Stability: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 2 days; Frozen: >2 days
Normal Value: Negative
Turn Around Time: 3 days
CPT Code: 86788
Cost: $63
Acceptable Specimen: Isolate in appropriate tubed transport medium or a piece of agar with growth and send in a sterile container. Plates are not accepted. For human clinical samples refer to American Society for Microbiology (ASM) https://asm.org/articles/cphmc/laboratory-response-network-lrn-sentinel-level-c.
Notify Laboratory Services for referral instructions if your laboratory is unable to rule out BT agents.
Turn Around Time: 1 to 4 days
Cost: No Charge