Respiratory Multiplex
PCR Testing NSW/ACT

• Complete the Clinical Labs general pathology request form, requesting Respiratory Multiplex PCR.

• Patients requiring Respiratory Multiplex PCR testing in NSW and the ACT can visit any Clinical Labs collection centre with a valid doctor's referral.

• Influenza A

• Influenza B

• RSV A/B

• Parainfluenza 1 & 3

• Parainfluenza 2

• Human metapneumovirus

• Human adenovirus

• Human enterovirus

• Human rhinovirus

• Bordetella pertussis

• Bordetella parapertussis

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

• COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 (M, N Gene)

• Preferred Nose/throat or nasopharyngeal swab(s) in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) collection device (After collection, break off swab tip into the vial of VTM using the molded break point) or

• Nasopharyngeal/tracheal aspirates or

• Nose/throat/nasopharyngeal dry swabs or

• Sputum

An important consideration this respiratory season is the impact of the intranasal influenza vaccine on respiratory virus testing. In NSW, for patients aged 2-17 years, an additional laboratory comment will be added for those testing positive for Influenza A or B:

Detection of influenza A and/or influenza B may occur with natural infection, or for up to 3 weeks after receiving the live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine (LAIV/FluMist), or both. Please correlate with clinical context and immunisation history.