
Chlamydia pneumoniae – Respiratory PCR
Testing Indications
Health Unit staff should contact the public health laboratory if an outbreak is suspected prior to collection of samples.
Specimen Requirements
Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Chlamydia pneumoniae |
Nasopharyngeal Swab (NPS), or tracheal aspirates, or respiratory tract specimens |
Swab in transport media provided in kit |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Chlamydia pneumoniae PCR Kit; Kit Order# 390085 |
Submission and Collection Notes
Indicate symptoms and date of onset on the General Test Requisition Form if diagnostic testing is required.
Timing of Specimen Collection
Specimens should be collected as soon as possible following onset of symptoms using the Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Chlamydia pneumoniae collection kit.
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Special Instructions
Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHO laboratory on ice packs.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Chlamydia pneumoniae testing is performed twice per week Monday to Friday.
Turnaround time is up to 5 days from receipt by PHO laboratory.
Chlamydia pneumoniae specimens are tested by a PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction test that detects Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The PCR is >99% specific.
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