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Cytomegalovirus DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
Test CodeCMVDNAPCRQL
Quest Code
10601
Alias/See Also
CMV DNA PCR
CMV-PCR
CMV-PCR
CPT Codes
87496
Preferred Specimen
1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top), or ACD-A-B (yellow-top) tube,
--or--
Plasma collected in EDTA ( lavender-top), or EDTA PPT (white-top) tube, ACD-B (yellow-top) tube,
--or--
Serum, CSF, amniotic fluid supernatant, bronchoalveolar lavage, or random urine
--or--
Plasma collected in EDTA ( lavender-top), or EDTA PPT (white-top) tube, ACD-B (yellow-top) tube,
--or--
Serum, CSF, amniotic fluid supernatant, bronchoalveolar lavage, or random urine
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Minimum: 3mm3 frozen fresh tissue, submitted in a sterile, plastic, leak-proof container • 1 mL eye fluid submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container (Call Lab)
Instructions
Blood collected in tubes with heparin anticoagulant are not accepted for this test.
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-capped 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.
Whole blood: Collect whole blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA or ACD as anticoagulant. Store refrigerated. Do not freeze whole blood.
Serum, CSF, Amniotic Fluid, urine, and bronchoaveolar lavage: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated or frozen.
Fresh (unfixed) tissue: Collect in a sterile container and store frozen.
Eye fluid specimens: Call lab
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-capped 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.
Whole blood: Collect whole blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA or ACD as anticoagulant. Store refrigerated. Do not freeze whole blood.
Serum, CSF, Amniotic Fluid, urine, and bronchoaveolar lavage: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated or frozen.
Fresh (unfixed) tissue: Collect in a sterile container and store frozen.
Eye fluid specimens: Call lab
Transport Temperature
Fresh tissue: Frozen
All other sample types: Refrigerated (cold packs)
All other sample types: 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
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 FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily a.m.; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
Not detected
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.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153
Last Updated: June 6, 2023
