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24791 Influenza A and B Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)

Influenza A and B Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)
Test Code: ABNAT
Synonyms/Keywords
Influenza PCR, Seasonal Flu​
Useful For
​This is a qualitative PCR test that will identify influenza virus type A and type B. This test does not differentiate between seasonal subtypes of influenza A. Wisconsin public health information related to statewide and regional influenza activity including circulating subtypes is available at: http: //www.slh.wisc.edu/labupdates/reports/flusurveillance.dot.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Nasopharyngeal Swab Viral transport medium​ - M6 ​ 1 swab 1 swab 1 swab
​No ​​​Nasal Wash

(RESTRICTED - Only acceptable at St. Clare's, DTC, and the Weston Campus)		 ​Sterile, leak-proof container ​Viral transport medium ​1 swab ​1 swab ​1 swab
Collection Processing Instructions

​Collect appropriate specimen (sterile flocked swab with flexible shaft). Place in viral transport medium, braking shaft at breakpoint.  (DO NOT wrap over lip of tube). Send to lab refrigerated.

For more information on Specimen Collection Media/Swab, see Specimen Transport Pictorial.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Nasal Wash ​ ​Room Temp 24 hours
​Refrigerate ​7 days
Nasopharyngeal Swab​ ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen ​> 72 hours
Rejection Criteria
Specimens on Cotton or Calcium Alginate Tipped Swabs
​Swabs with Wooden Shafts
Transport Media Other than viral trasport
​Dry Swabs
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
Eau Claire​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
Flambeau Hospita​l ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
​Ladysmith Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
Lakeview Medical Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
​Marshfield Monday through Sunday ​3 hours Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR  ​
​Neillsville​Monday through Sunday​3 hours​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
Test Information
​Testing should only be considered for patients with moderate to severe respiratory illness including fever and cough or sore throat. Testing is not recommended for patients with mild illness or family members of a person with known seasonal influenza.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites ​Negative
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​87502 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Influenza PCR, Seasonal Flu​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Influenza A&B NAT (PCR)
​Cerner Influenza A and B NAT (PCR)​
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Nasopharyngeal Swab Viral transport medium​ - M6 ​ 1 swab 1 swab 1 swab
​No ​​​Nasal Wash

(RESTRICTED - Only acceptable at St. Clare's, DTC, and the Weston Campus)		 ​Sterile, leak-proof container ​Viral transport medium ​1 swab ​1 swab ​1 swab
Collection Processing

​Collect appropriate specimen (sterile flocked swab with flexible shaft). Place in viral transport medium, braking shaft at breakpoint.  (DO NOT wrap over lip of tube). Send to lab refrigerated.

For more information on Specimen Collection Media/Swab, see Specimen Transport Pictorial.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Nasal Wash ​ ​Room Temp 24 hours
​Refrigerate ​7 days
Nasopharyngeal Swab​ ​ ​Refrigerate ​72 hours
​Frozen ​> 72 hours
Rejection Criteria
Specimens on Cotton or Calcium Alginate Tipped Swabs
​Swabs with Wooden Shafts
Transport Media Other than viral trasport
​Dry Swabs
Useful For
​This is a qualitative PCR test that will identify influenza virus type A and type B. This test does not differentiate between seasonal subtypes of influenza A. Wisconsin public health information related to statewide and regional influenza activity including circulating subtypes is available at: http: //www.slh.wisc.edu/labupdates/reports/flusurveillance.dot.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites ​Negative
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
Eau Claire​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
Flambeau Hospita​l ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR ​
​Ladysmith Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
Lakeview Medical Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
​Marshfield Monday through Sunday ​3 hours Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR  ​
​Neillsville​Monday through Sunday​3 hours​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​3 hours ​Nucleic Acid Test (NAT); Real-Time RT-PCR
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​87502 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.