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Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
Test Code34052
CPT Codes
87798<br /> ** This test is not available for New York patient testing.**
Preferred Specimen
1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube, or
1 mL CSF or bronchial wash/brush collected in a sterile, plastic, 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 or bronchial wash/brush collected in a sterile, plastic, 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 all other specimens • 0.2 mL eye fluid
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
Whole blood
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimens
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: 30 days
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimens
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Heparin whole blood
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 1-3 days
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.
