Virology

The clinical virology laboratory at Kashi Clinical Laboratories performs molecular and serologic methods for viral tests. We focus on the diagnosis of viral infections in humans and are responsible for identifying and characterizing viruses. We use various laboratory techniques to detect the presence of viral infections in patient samples, such as blood, urine, respiratory secretions, and tissue specimens. Common diagnostic methods include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), viral culture, serological testing, and nucleic acid sequencing. We collaborate with the professionals at department of health laboratories of various states to collect and analyze data to track outbreaks, monitor the spread of viral diseases in the communities and assess the effectiveness of public health interventions.

COVID-19

We offer on-site PCR testing for the Portland Oregon area with results in less than 24 hours.

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new virus of global health significance caused by infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is thought to spread from person to person in close contact through respiratory droplets. Kashi Clinical Laboratories has responded to the request from federal health officials for CLIA Certified high-complexity laboratories to begin offering testing for COVID-19. We are honored to support you and patients around the country during this health crisis by offering a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay. To prioritize the most vulnerable in our community, Kashi Clinical Laboratories is working with facilities such as retirement communities and assisted living facilities to distribute test kits to healthcare workers and symptomatic patients.

On-site PCR testing for the Portland Oregon area with results in less than 24 hours.

Need COVID-19 testing for your business? Contact Kashi Labs to learn more.

For further questions regarding COVID-19, our testing services, collection, and shipping, or results, please consult our FAQ below.

SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing

Current SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing is critical in quickly determining the presence or absence of the virus in a patient sample. However, this does not tell you anything about the genetic sequence of the virus. Next generation sequencing (NGS) provides additional valuable information that can distinguish the thousands of potential genetic differences across COVID samples.

The high throughput nature of NGS allows researchers to look at the entire SARS-CoV-2 genome in many samples at one time to get a more complete picture. Our laboratory has chosen to use the Ion Torrent targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology (ThermoFisher Scientific) which enables complete viral genome sequencing and variant detection for epidemiological and surveillance studies of SARS-CoV-2. The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Research Panel is an amplicon-based NGS panel designed to obtain complete viral genome data even from samples with very low SARS-CoV-2 viral content by ultra-deep sequencing of PCR amplicons. Included in the workflow is a software analysis package to easily identify the precise location of mutations within genes of high interest, such as the Spike (S) gene. Armed with both the complete genome sequence and the identity of critical mutations, we can dive deeper with analysis tools that can inform SARS-CoV-2 lineage assignments. By comparing our patient sample sequences to other SARS-CoV-2 strain sequences, such as the new UK or South Africa variants, we can see how ‘related,’ or similar, our community strains are to these newer strains that are spreading rapidly here in the US and globally.

To start classifying your SARS-CoV-2 strains, contact us today.

Infectious Disease Markers

Pretransplant donor evaluation is an essential process to safeguard the quality and safety of donation protecting the recipient from transmissible diseases. Similar to blood transfusion, hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) donation has the potential to transmit a wide range of blood-borne diseases.

FDA-approved assays are used to perform the following infectious disease agents: human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV 1 and 2), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), human T-cell lymphotrophic virus I and II (HTLV I and II), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). HIV-1/2, HCV, and HBV are NAT tested as well as serologic antibody testing. WNV is only infectious during the viremic phase and NAT testing is performed concomitantly with product collection (or within 7 days before or after collection). Lastly, Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) is also included in the IDM panel.

Respiratory Virus

Influenza A virus, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, adenovirus and parainfluenza virus are the most frequent respiratory viruses that cause acute lower respiratory viral infection. However, advancement in medical microbiology has facilitated the identification of other viruses like metapneumoviruses, bocavirus and coronaviruses, with a reported rise occurring in the general population.

These viruses are commonly transmitted via respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks. In general, aerosol, droplet spray, direct contact (physical) and indirect contact (fomite) are the four main modes of respiratory virus transmission. Droplets can travel less than 6 feet and, due to their size, fall to the ground or surfaces, resulting in contaminated areas (hands, clothing, tables, etc.). This can then facilitate direct (handshake with contaminated skin) and indirect contact transmission (touching a table with fomites). Furthermore, aerosols can float in the air for hours, allowing transmission over short and long distances.Preventive measures, such as regular handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, practicing good respiratory hygiene (covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing), and vaccination can help reduce the spread and impact of respiratory viruses. Identifying the causative respiratory viruses of severe lung infection is vital for the management and prevention of viral transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 General Information

How does COVID-19 spread?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is thought to spread from person to person in close contact through respiratory droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It is also possible that a person can catch COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How do I protect myself?

Kashi Clinical Laboratories recommends following current CDC guidelines for protecting one’s self from the virus. These guidelines include:

Cleaning your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Avoid toughing your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with others outside your household
Maintain a 6 foot social distance from others when it is necessary to be in public
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 have been reported to be wide-ranging but may include:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

COVID-19 Testing Services

What test methods do you offer?

At this time we are offering detection of SARS-CoV-2 via real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay. We are working to bring on new testing methods including antibody testing.

Want to know more about our testing methods? Please read our Fact Sheet.

How do I order COVID-19 test kits from Kashi Clinical Laboratories?

If you do not have an account set up with Kashi and need it setup or if you have an account and need a facility code, please contact us.

What days do you provide testing?

5 days a week – Monday through Friday.

What is the turnaround time (TAT) for COVID-19 testing at KASHI Lab?

The intent is for results to post by the next business day once received by Kashi Lab. Samples received after 10:00am on a Friday will be stored and run on Monday.

What time do samples need to be received by Kashi Lab to get the fastest TAT?

Samples need to be received by Kashi Lab by 10:00am for a guaranteed TAT. Over 90% of our samples are reported by 24 hours after receiving. The rest are reported by the end of next business day.

How sensitive is the RT-PCR test?

Our RT-PCR test has a sensitivity of 500 viral copies per ml of human sample and a limit of detection of >95%.

What type of samples do you use for testing?

We use nasopharyngeal swabs, nasopharyngeal lavage, and saliva.

Sample Collection & Shipping

How do I collect and handle samples?

Collect samples following the instructions, which should be included with your kits. Links to instructions are also listed above if you need additional copies. PLEASE register each kit properly before collection, and avoid handwriting patient names on the kits.
Immediately after collection, samples need to be refrigerated or stored on ice. Store samples inside their sealed double bagging at 2-8°C immediately after collection for up to 72 hours. Samples that will not be tested within 72 hours of collection must be frozen at -70°C and transported on dry ice.
Initiate transportation/shipping of the sample immediately.

How do I register a kit?

Each kit needs registration in order to link the patient to the kit. This is where you enter your facility code and the barcode label ID for the kit. Register each kit before you use it, here: https://www.kashiportal.com/kit.

Do you have examples of nasopharyngeal swab sampling or nasal wash sampling?

No. However there are many reputable sources for training on these procedures:

What days are recommended for sample collection?

Monday through Thursday for all states; Friday only if within same-day courier transport to Portland, Oregon by 5pm. This may change in the near future to increase testing times based on demand.

How do I ship samples?

If sample has been refrigerated, ship at 2-8°C.
Samples need to be in three leak-proof layers. Kashi provides double bagging for sample collection, but each Facility needs to provide the third leak-proof container that can maintain the shipping temperature.
If the sample is shipped overnight and will go on a plane, the box is required to be labeled as UN3373. Shippers such as FedEx sell UN3373 containers that even come with temperature control units in the box.

Are there any days your laboratory is closed?

Kashi Clinical Laboratories is open Monday-Friday, 8am to 6:30pm. We are not open on the weekends. Additionally, we do observe several holidays on which our laboratory closes. These include:

New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Testing Results

How will results be reported?

COVID-19 test results for each patient are uploaded to your portal account with one of the following results:

Detected
Not detected
Invalid

How do I view the results?

The email supplied for the Facility Code is used to create your portal account. Look for the reset password email (check spam), and log in to the portal: https://www.kashiportal.com/
Within 24 hours of receipt (and no more than 48 hours) the results will be ready on the Kashi Lab web portal.
You will receive an email from noreply@kashilab.com when a report has been uploaded. To access reports, use the Search Reports and Documents link on the left-hand side of the screen. From this screen, you can enter a date range and/or a patient name. You can also just click the SEARCH button, which will cause all reports to come up with the newest at the top. From here, click the Download link on the right-hand side of the screen to download the desired report. You can also search your sample submission history under Search Samples.

All positives and negatives are reported to the State of Oregon within 24 hours of reporting.

What does it mean if the results are indeterminate or invalid?

An ‘invalid result’ means that the specimen was run twice, and the results were unable to be determined. A new specimen needs to be sent.

Virology

COVID-19

We offer on-site PCR testing for the Portland Oregon area with results in less than 24 hours.

On-site PCR testing for the Portland Oregon area with results in less than 24 hours.

Need COVID-19 testing for your business? Contact Kashi Labs to learn more.

SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing

Infectious Disease Markers

Pretransplant donor evaluation is an essential process to safeguard the quality and safety of donation protecting the recipient from transmissible diseases. Similar to blood transfusion, hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) donation has the potential to transmit a wide range of blood-borne diseases.

Respiratory Virus

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 General Information

COVID-19 Testing Services

Sample Collection & Shipping

Testing Results

Contact Information

Laboratory Hours

Sample Collection

At-Home Tests

Sample Collection

Kashi Laboratories works directly with providers to make ordering tests as easy as possible.

Kashi Laboratories works directly with providers to make ordering tests as easy as possible.

What can we help you find?

Place a one-time order for genetic testing at order.kashilab.com.

Kashi Laboratories works directly with providers to make ordering tests as easy as possible.

Ordering a kit is easy! To purchase a Private Testing Kit, please visit the link below and follow the steps provided.

Kashi Labs has partnered with ThermoFisher Scientific to bring MMDx® to our patients and providers.