A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Toxoplasma gondii DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR

Test Code
TOXQL


Alias/See Also

LAB16366



CPT Codes
<p>87798</p>

Preferred Specimen

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Amniotic fluid

Collection Container/Type: Sterile container

Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

 

Specimen Type: Spinal fluid

Collection Container/Type: Sterile container

Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

 

Specimen Type: Tissue

Collection Container/Type: Sterile container

Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 mm cubic mm

 

Specimen Type: Vitreous fluid

Collection Container/Type: Sterile container

Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL

Collection Instructions: Do not dilute collected specimen with saline

 

Specimen Type: Serum / Plasma

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), Yellow top (ACD)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

 

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL



Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Tissue: 3 cubic mm

Vitreous fluid : 0.2 mL



Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum • Whole blood or plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube • Amniotic fluid supernatant collected in: Sterile leak-proof container • 0.2 mL vitreous fluid collected in a sterile leak-proof container


Instructions
Raw vitreous fluid specimens: Do not dilute collected specimen with additional saline.


Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)


Specimen Stability

Whole Blood

Room temperature: 48 hours

Refrigerated: 7 days

Frozen: Unacceptable

 

All other specimens

Room temperature: 48 hours

Refrigerated: 7 days

Frozen: 30 days



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

Hemolyzed whole blood



Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

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.



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


Report Available

1-2 days



Reference Range
Not Detected


Clinical Significance
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, is an important opportunistic pathogen of immunosuppressed patients. In AIDS patients and transplant patients, this infection may result in a life-threatening encephalitis. T. gondii can also cause a fatal infection of the fetus if an infection is acquired during pregnancy. Fetal death or major abnormalities such as blindness and mental retardation may occur when infection is acquired during the first trimester. PCR methods may be useful in identifying T. gondii in CSF of immunosuppressed patients or in the amniotic fluid of mothers thought to be recently infected.


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


Last Updated: February 1, 2012


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.