Cytomegalovirus DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code

CMVPCRQL

Quest Code

10601

Alias/See Also

10601

CPT Codes
87496

Preferred Specimen

SST 1.0 mL Serum OR 1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube Plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top), ACD B (yellow-top), or PPT Potassium EDTA (white-top) tube CSF, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Eye fluids, Amniotic fluid, Amniotic fluid supernatant collected in a sterile leak-proof container OR random urine collected in a sterile screw cap container

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

3 mm fresh (unfixed) tissue

Instructions

Blood collected in tubes with heparin anticoagulant are not accepted for this test.

Plasma: Collect blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA or ACD as anticoagulant or in Plasma Preparation Tubes (PPTs). Store collected whole blood at room temperature and separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer plasma to sterile, plastic, screw-capped tubes and store refrigerated or frozen. If blood is collected in a PPT tube, centrifuge within 2 hours of collection and store refrigerated or frozen. It is not necessary to transfer the plasma from a PPT tube to aliquot tubes.

Whole blood: Collect whole blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA or ACD as anticoagulant. Store refrigerated. Do not freeze whole blood.

CSF, amniotic fluid, urine and tissue: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated or frozen.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Whole blood
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

All other sample types
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Heparinized specimens • Unspun PPT tube

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

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

P.M. Sets up 7 days a week.

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

In patients who are immunocompromised, CMV may cause disseminated, severe disease. CMV is also the most common cause of congenital viral infection in humans. Quantitative PCR methods may be useful in monitoring CMV replication in immunosuppressed patients or in determining the viral load of CMV in amniotic fluid.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

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.