| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Zika Virus Antibody (IgM)
Test Code94264
CPT Codes
86794
Preferred Specimen
3 mL serum
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Instructions
Order Zika tests separately from other tests - on a separate requisition.
• Collect blood in a serum separator tube (preferred) or a standard red-top.
• Allow blood to clot at room temperature.
• Blood collection tube should be centrifuged as soon as possible and serum transferred to a plastic transfer tube in order to avoid hemolysis.
• Transport refrigerated (cold packs) to local Quest Diagnostics accessioning laboratory.
IMPORTANT: If sample is being shipped directly to the performing laboratory facility by an overnight air courier, then transport it frozen on dry ice. Specimens must not be left in lock boxes.
• Collect blood in a serum separator tube (preferred) or a standard red-top.
• Allow blood to clot at room temperature.
• Blood collection tube should be centrifuged as soon as possible and serum transferred to a plastic transfer tube in order to avoid hemolysis.
• Transport refrigerated (cold packs) to local Quest Diagnostics accessioning laboratory.
IMPORTANT: If sample is being shipped directly to the performing laboratory facility by an overnight air courier, then transport it frozen on dry ice. Specimens must not be left in lock boxes.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Serum received in a frozen serum separator tube (SST) • Serum received in an unspun serum separator tube (SST) • Plasma • Serum received in a standard red-top tube (not transferred to plastic transfer tube)
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 4-5 days
Clinical Significance
This test is intended for the presumptive qualitative detection of Zika virus IgM antibodies in serum from individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clinical and epidemiological criteria for Zika virus testing. Zika viruses are primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos [1].
Most individuals with a Zika virus infection are asymptomatic. Individuals with symptomatic infections may experience fever, rash, and muscle/joint pain [2]. Per the 2019 CDC guidelines, a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and an IgM antibody test should be performed on maternal serum and a NAAT on maternal urine for pregnant women who live in or have traveled (during the pregnancy) to geographic areas at risk for Zika and who have a fetus with prenatal ultrasound findings consistent with congenital Zika virus infection. For current testing guidelines, see Testing Guidance | Zika Virus | CDC.
Zika infection shares clinical and epidemiological features with other arbovirus infections such as Dengue and Chikungunya. For CDC guidelines on testing concurrently for Zika and Dengue, see Testing Guidance | Dengue | CDC.
Serologic results may be difficult to interpret due to cross-reactivity between Zika IgM and Dengue IgM antibodies. If Zika virus NAAT results are negative, a presumptive positive Zika IgM result requires additional confirmatory testing. Zika IgM antibodies can persist for months or years following infection. Therefore, the presence of Zika IgM antibodies may not indicate a recent infection.
1. Subcommittee on Laboratory Practices, ASM, and Public Relations Committee, Pan American Society for Clinical Virology (PASCV). Zika virus: An Update on the Disease
and Guidance for Laboratory Testing. September 2022. Accessed May 9, 2023. Zika Virus: An Update on the Disease and Guidance for Laboratory Testing | ASM.org.
2. Sharp TM, et al. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019 Jun 14;68(1):1-10.
Most individuals with a Zika virus infection are asymptomatic. Individuals with symptomatic infections may experience fever, rash, and muscle/joint pain [2]. Per the 2019 CDC guidelines, a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and an IgM antibody test should be performed on maternal serum and a NAAT on maternal urine for pregnant women who live in or have traveled (during the pregnancy) to geographic areas at risk for Zika and who have a fetus with prenatal ultrasound findings consistent with congenital Zika virus infection. For current testing guidelines, see Testing Guidance | Zika Virus | CDC.
Zika infection shares clinical and epidemiological features with other arbovirus infections such as Dengue and Chikungunya. For CDC guidelines on testing concurrently for Zika and Dengue, see Testing Guidance | Dengue | CDC.
Serologic results may be difficult to interpret due to cross-reactivity between Zika IgM and Dengue IgM antibodies. If Zika virus NAAT results are negative, a presumptive positive Zika IgM result requires additional confirmatory testing. Zika IgM antibodies can persist for months or years following infection. Therefore, the presence of Zika IgM antibodies may not indicate a recent infection.
1. Subcommittee on Laboratory Practices, ASM, and Public Relations Committee, Pan American Society for Clinical Virology (PASCV). Zika virus: An Update on the Disease
and Guidance for Laboratory Testing. September 2022. Accessed May 9, 2023. Zika Virus: An Update on the Disease and Guidance for Laboratory Testing | ASM.org.
2. Sharp TM, et al. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019 Jun 14;68(1):1-10.
