CLSI Publishes New Approved Guideline For Optimizing Viral Culture Results

Wayne, PA - The nature of the cell culture system is one that is inherently variable and thus remains susceptible to numerous adverse conditions that can lead to unreliable results. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, formerly NCCLS) has recently published Viral Culture; Approved Guideline (M41-A), which provides recommendations for optimizing culture results. This document provides guidance for viral culture and identification procedures that are typically performed in the clinical virology laboratory setting using commercially available reagents and monolayered cell cultures.

M41-A is designed to identify the many variables associated with viral culture procedures and to provide guidance regarding:

• specimen collection, processing, and inoculation;
• cell culture selection, assessment, maintenance, and quality control;
• isolate detection and identification; and
• reporting and interpretation of test results.

This document includes procedures and guidance that are appropriate for different laboratory settings, ranging from those offering a limited culture menu (e.g., herpes simplex virus [HSV]) to those performing more comprehensive viral culture. This document also includes cautionary notes related to recent safety concerns regarding BSL-3 and BSL-4 agents that have been identified as either potential biologic threats (e.g., variola) or emergent infections (e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus [SARS-CoV], avian influenza).

SOURCE: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)