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Cytomegalovirus DNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR
Test Code10600
CPT Codes
87497
Preferred Specimen
1 mL whole blood or plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Whole blood collected in: ACD (yellow-top) tube • Plasma collected in: ACD (yellow-top) tube or EDTA PPT (white-top) tube • Serum • CSF • Amniotic fluid • Amniotic fluid supernatant
Instructions
Whole blood: Collect whole blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA or ACD as anticoagulant. Store refrigerated. Blood collected in tubes containing ACD anticoagulant will yield results approximately 15% lower when compared to EDTA tubes due to a dilution effect. Do not freeze whole blood.
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-cap 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. Blood collected in tubes containing ACD anticoagulant will yield results approximately 15% lower when compared to EDTA tubes due to a dilution effect.
Serum: Collect in a red top tube (no gel) or serum separator tube (SST).
CSF or amniotic fluid: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated or frozen.
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-cap 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. Blood collected in tubes containing ACD anticoagulant will yield results approximately 15% lower when compared to EDTA tubes due to a dilution effect.
Serum: Collect in a red top tube (no gel) or serum separator tube (SST).
CSF or amniotic fluid: 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
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 (PCR)
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
Sets up 7 days a week.
Report Available
Reports in 2 to 3 days.
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. This is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 200-2,000,000 IU/mL.
