Cytomegalovirus Antibody (IgM)

Test Code

LAB957

Quest Code

8503

Alias/See Also

CMVIM, CMV, CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

CPT Codes
86645

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

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: Tue-Sat; Report Available: 1-3 days

Limitations

False-positive IgM test results may be due to the presence of heterophile antibodies or presence of rheumatoid factor.

Reference Range

AU/mL	Interpretation
<30.00	No antibody detected
30.00-34.99	Equivocal
≥35.00	Antibody detected

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 level IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months post infection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. Acute infection is best diagnosed by demonstrating the conversion of IgG from negative to positive. 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

CMV infections are common and usually asymptomatic. In patients who are immunocompromised, CMV may cause disseminated, severe disease. CMV may cause birth defects in a minority of infected newborns.

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.