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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 # |
Varicella Immune Ab IgG 4439
Test CodeVARG
Alias/See Also
VARG
CPT Codes
86787
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
1
Instructions
Draw SST and send serum refrigerated
Transport Container
SST
Transport Temperature
R
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Gross lipemic
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Tues-Sat a.m.; Report available: Next day
Limitations
Other herpes viruses may cross react and produce high titers. Protection may be limited at low positive titers. Antibodies persist after infection has been treated or becomes dormant.
Reference Range
Index | Interpretation |
<135.00 | Negative - Antibody not detected |
135.00-164.99 | Equivocal |
≥165.00 | Positive - Antibody detected |
A positive result indicates that the patient has antibody to VZV but does not differentiate between an active or past infection.
The clinical diagnosis must be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical signs and symptoms of the patient. This assay reliably measures immunity due to previous infection but may not be sensitive enough to detect antibodies induced by vaccination. Thus, a negative result in a vaccinated individual does not necessarily indicate susceptibility to VZV infection. A more sensitive test for vaccination-induced immunity is Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody Immunity Screen, ACIF.
Clinical Significance
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chicken pox and when reactivated, potentially decades later, causes shingles. Twenty percent of adults will develop shingles, a rash or blister of the skin that may cause severe pain. Varicella-Zoster IgG, EIA reliably measures immunity due to previous infection, but is unsuitable for detection of post-vaccination immune status.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153