Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody (IgM)

Test Code

VZVAM

Alias/See Also

LAB163

CPT Codes
<p>86787</p>

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Transport Container

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 4 days

Refrigerated: 7 days

Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Grossly icteric

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat a.m.; Report available: Next day

Report Available

Next day

Limitations

Other herpes viruses may cross react and produce high titers. Protection may be limited at low positive titers.

Reference Range

VZV Ab (IgM)

≤0.90

Interpretive criteria

0.00-0.90	Negative
0.91-1.09	Equivocal
≥1.10	Positive

Results from any one IgM assay should not be used as a sole determinant of a current or recent infection. Because an IgM test can yield false positive results and low levels of IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months post infection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. If an acute infection is suspected, consider obtaining a new specimen and submit for both IgG and IgM testing in two or more weeks.

Clinical Significance

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chicken pox and when reactivated, potentially decades later, causes shingles. Twenty percent of adults will develop shingles, a rash or blister of the skin that may cause severe pain.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: February 17, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.