Pneumocystis jirovecii, Quantitative Real-Time PCR : 18834

PJQN or 18834

Pneumocystis pneumonia

1 mL (0.5 mL minimum) bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial wash collected in sterile, leak-proof container.

Refrigerated.

Room temperature: 48 hours; Refrigerated 7 days; Frozen: 30 days

Daily

1 day 

Laboratory test results should always be considered in the context of clinical observations. This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational for research. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) as qualified to perform high complexity clinical laboratory testing. 

Not Detected.

This test is intended for HIV-positive and immunocompromised individuals with clinical presentation and/or radiographic findings consistent with P. jirovecii infection. This test can be used to aid in the diagnosis of P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) enabling the initiation of specific therapy. The PCR test has higher sensitivity and specificity when compared to alternative diagnostic methods such as staining (GMS, Calcofluor white, DFA), (1,3) β-D-glucan test or imaging studies. Due to the analytical sensitivity of this assay, the test can be positive in colonized individuals without clinical evidence of PCP. The reportable range of this test is 250 to 125,000,000 copies/mL (2.40 to 8.10 Log copies/mL). The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical findings and history.

Reference:
1. Bateman M, et al. Medical Mycology. 2020;58 :1015-1028