Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code
15498X


CPT Codes
87581

Preferred Specimen
1 mL sputum or bronchial lavage/wash collected in a sterile, leak-proof plastic container or throat or nasopharyngeal swab in M4 media or V-C-M medium (green-cap) tube or equivalent (UTM)


Minimum Volume
0.35 mL sputum or bronchial lavage/wash


Other Acceptable Specimens
CSF  in a sterile screw cap container


Instructions
Nasopharyngeal and Throat swab in M4, VCM (UTM) Media (Use only sterile Dacron or rayon swabs.) Do NOT use calcium alginate swabs, as they may contain substances that inhibit PCR testing. Break applicator sticks off near the tip to permit tightening of the cap.

Sputum: Collect in a sputum collection kit or a sterile, leak-proof plastic container.
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bronchial lavage: Collect in a sterile, leak-proof plastic container.


Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)


Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days


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


Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

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


Clinical Significance
Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA, PCR, is a highly sensitive method to detect the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in clinical specimens.
The diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection should not rely solely upon the result of a PCR assay. A positive result should be determined 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 Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA at detectable levels in the sample tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of disease.




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.