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Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
Test Code34052
CPT Codes
87798
Preferred Specimen
1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube or
1 mL CSF collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container or
1 mL bronchial wash/brush, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) collected in a sterile leak-proof container or
1 mL lesion swab collected in VCM (green-cap) tube or equivalent (UTM), or M4 or
0.5 mL eye fluid (vitreous) collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container
1 mL CSF collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container or
1 mL bronchial wash/brush, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) collected in a sterile leak-proof container or
1 mL lesion swab collected in VCM (green-cap) tube or equivalent (UTM), or M4 or
0.5 mL eye fluid (vitreous) collected in a sterile plastic leak-proof container
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL • 0.2 mL eye fluid
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
Whole blood
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimen types
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimen types
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
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 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 1-2 days
Reference Range
Not detected
Clinical Significance
This assay detects the varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in skin lesions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and whole blood. Detection of VZV DNA in CSF usually indicates active, not latent, infection. Detection of VZV DNA in appropriate clinical specimens permits rapid and sensitive patient testing.