68986-9

LOINC code 68986-9 identifies "Influenza virus A H5a RNA [Presence] in Specimen by NAA with probe detection". This code defines a test that identifies the H5 hemagglutinin of influenza A. It is intended for presumptive identification of virus in patients who may be infected with Asian lineage influenza (influenza A subtype A/H5). The specimen can be human respiratory or viral culture. From the CDC: "Testing with the influenza H5a and H5b primer and probe sets should not be performed unless the patient meets the most current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) clinical and epidemiologic criteria for testing suspect A/H5 specimens. The definitive identification of influenza A/H5 (Asian lineage) either directly from patient specimens or from virus cultures requires additional laboratory testing, along with clinical and epidemiological assessment in consultation with national influenza surveillance experts.

This code measures Influenza virus A H5a RNA in XXX. It belongs to the MICRO class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.