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Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody (IgM) : 8683
Test CodeVZIGMQ or 8683
Alias/See Also
Chicken Pox IgM, Shingles, Herpes Zoster IgM
CPT Codes
86787
Instructions
Serum separator tube or plain red tube.
Transport Container
Centrifuge serum separator tube and transport. If plain red, centrifuge and aliquot 1 mL serum (Min: 0.2 mL) into a standard transport tube.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Specimen Stability
Ambient: 4 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis; Gross lipemia; Grossly icteric.
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Tuesday - Saturday
Report Available
1-3 days (From receipt at performing laboratory)
Limitations
Other herpes viruses may cross react and produce high titers. Protection may be limited at low positive titers.
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 levels of IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months post infection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. If an acute infection is suspected, consider obtaining a new specimen and submit for both IgG and IgM testing in two or more weeks.
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 levels of IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months post infection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. If an acute infection is suspected, consider obtaining a new specimen and submit for both IgG and IgM testing in two or more weeks.
Reference Range
VZV Ab (IgM): less than or equal to 0.90
Interpretive criteria
0.00-0.90: Negative
0.91-1.09: Equivocal
greater than or equal to 1.10: Positive
Interpretive criteria
0.00-0.90: Negative
0.91-1.09: Equivocal
greater than or equal to 1.10: Positive
Clinical Significance
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chicken pox and when reactivated, potentially decades later, causes shingles. Twenty percent of adults will develop shingles, a rash or blister of the skin that may cause severe pain.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics
