Tropheryma whipplei (Whipple's) DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code
TROPWHIPPCRQL


Quest Code
11352X


CPT Codes
87798<br><strong>This test is not available for New York patient testing</strong>

Preferred Specimen
>3 mm3 fresh tissue submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container


Minimum Volume
3 mm3 tissue • 0.3 mL CSF, whole blood, or synovial fluid


Other Acceptable Specimens
0.7 mL CSF or synovial fluid submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container • 0.7 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube


Transport Temperature
Frozen


Specimen Stability
Tissue and synovial fluid
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

Whole blood and CSF
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days


Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 1-2 days


Reference Range
Not detected


Clinical Significance
Tropheryma whipplei (Whipple's disease) DNA, PCR is a highly sensitive and specific method to detect the presence of Tropheryma whipplei DNA in clinical specimens. The diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei infection should not rely solely upon the result of a PCR assay. A positive result should be considered in conjunction with clinical presentation and additional established clinical tests. Moreover, this assay cannot differentiate between viable and nonviable organisms. A negative PCR result indicates the absence of Tropheryma whipplei DNA at detectable levels in the samples tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of disease.


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.