Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Virology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
SYPH
Test Code (Numeric Code)
2880
Laboratory Handling
Transport
Same-day transport: room temperature. If transport is delayed beyond 24 hours, transport chilled at 2–8°C.
Laboratory
Swabs, Fresh tissue, PET block and other fluid specimens: should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.
Sample Stability
Swabs, Fresh tissue, other fluid specimens: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. FFPE/PET tissue blocks: store at ambient temperature.
Synonyms
Treponema pallidum PCR
Syphilis PCR
Turnaround Time
1 day
Testing performed every day of the week.
Specimen Type
- Amniotic Fluid
- Buccal Swab
- Chorionic Villus (CVS)
- CSF
- Fetal Tissue
- Genital Swab
- Mouth Swab
- Skin Swab
- Swab - see Additional Information
- Tissue
- Vitreous Fluid
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Swab - Viral PCR
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Swab - Viral PCR
Additional Specimen Information
Genital ulcer/chancre swab in UTM/VTM.
DO NOT use a flimsy flocked swab (such as nasopharyngeal swabs). Please use a thick shaft swab.
Fresh tissue: submit in sterile normal saline.
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE/PET) tissue block.
For the diagnosis of congenital syphilis or neurosyphilis, please contact Clinical Virology for further discussion.
Last updated: 30/08/2026