Epstein Barr Virus DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code

EBPCRQL

Quest Code

34179

Alias/See Also

EBV DNA Qual, PCR

CPT Codes
86665x2, 86664

Preferred Specimen

1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube or
1 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube or
1 mL serum or
1 mL CSF collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container or
>3 cubic mm fresh tissue collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

3 cubic mm tissue • 0.25 mL undiluted vitreous (eye) fluid • 0.3 mL all other fluids

Other Acceptable Specimens

1 mL amniotic fluid or lower respiratory specimen (BAL, bronchial wash, tracheal secretions) collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container • 0.3 undiluted vitreous (eye) fluid collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container

Instructions

CSF: Submit in a sterile, plastic, container and store refrigerated or frozen.
Tissue: Submit in a sterile, plastic, container and transport frozen.
Do not freeze whole blood.
Raw vitreous (eye) fluid specimens: Do not dilute collected specimen with additional saline or other transport media

Transport Temperature

Tissue: Frozen
All other samples: Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Whole blood
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

All other specimens
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Hemolyzed whole blood • Heparin whole blood

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: next day

Reference Range

Not Detected

Clinical Significance

Infection with EBV is common and is generally subclinical or presents as a self-limited illness. Reactivation of latent EBV in an immunocompromised person can lead to more serious results, including lymphoproliferative disorders or neurological disease. PCR methods may be useful in identifying EBV in a variety of clinical specimens.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

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.