Cytomegalovirus DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR

Test Code

38682

CPT Codes
87496<br>Restricted Client Code

Preferred Specimen

1 mL whole blood collected in EDTA (lavender-top) tube or
1 mL plasma collected in EDTA (lavender-top) tube, or PPT EDTA (white-top) tube, or
1 mL serum or
1 mL CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage, or amniotic fluid or supernatant amniotic fluid, or random urine collected in a sterile leak-proof container or
0.5 mL vitreous (eye) fluid collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

0.25 mL vitreous eye fluid • 3 cubic mm fresh tissue • 0.5 mL all other specimens

Other Acceptable Specimens

3 cubic mm fresh (unfixed) tissue collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Instructions

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

Plasma: Collect blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA anticoagulant or in plasma preparation tubes (PPT). 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.

Serum: Collect in a red-top tube (no gel) or serum separator tube (SST) and store refrigerated or frozen.

CSF, amniotic fluid, urine, BAL, Vitreous (eye) fluid: Collect in a sterile, plastic, leak-proof container and store refrigerated or frozen.

Tissue: Fresh (unfixed) tissue submitted in a sterile, plastic, leak-proof container.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

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

All other specimens
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 (RT-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 FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 1 day

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

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.

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.