Cytomegalovirus Culture

Test Code

CMVC

CPT Codes
87254 x 2

Preferred Specimen

Urine

Other Acceptable Specimens

CSF, Throat, Nasal, Eye, Lesions, Respiratory

Instructions

Collect specimen aseptically; transport in a sterile container. Collect specimen with a dacron or cotton tipped swab. DO NOT use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts.

Transport Container

Sterile Container or MR4T

Transport Temperature

2-8 C

Specimen Stability

Body fluid, tissues, nasopharyngeal aspirate/swab 2-8 C for 24 hrs, Eye, lesions, vesicular 2-8 C for 48 hrs, Cervical/vaginal, urine, urethral, nasopharyngeal wash, throat 2-8 C for 72 hrs.

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

Improperly labelled; Improper storage/transport

Methodology
Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) ; Centrifuge enhanced tissue culture

Setup Schedule

Monday-Friday

Report Available

3 days

Reference Range

No Cytomegalovirus Detected

Clinical Significance

Cytomegalovirus is ubiquitous, infecting 60-80% of individuals by adulthood in the U.S. in certain populations, antibodies to CMV are detected in 100% of sera tested. Most infecions are asymptomatic, and only about 1% of those infected actually experience clinical manifestations of CMV disease. CMV has been identified as the etiologic agent in a variety of conditiions including congenital abnormalities, mononucleosis-like syndromes, pneumonitis in infants, and interstitial pneumoias in immunocompromised populations such as renal transplant recipients, individuals with AIDS, and in patients with malignancies.

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.