Enterovirus RNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR

Test Code

15082

CPT Codes
87498

Preferred Specimen

0.7 mL CSF collected in a sterile screw-cap container

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL CSF, plasma, serum or pericardial fluid • 0.5 g or 0.5 mL stool

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum • Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube, PPT (white-top) tube, or ACD (yellow-top) tube • Rectal, throat, lesion or nasopharyngeal swab collected in 0.7 mL multi-microbe media, V-C-M (green-cap), or equivalent (UTM) tube • Pericardial fluid collected in sterile leak-proof container • 1 g or 0.7 mL frozen stool collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Instructions

Specimens can be stored and transported either refrigerated or frozen.
Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of specimens.

Transport Temperature

Stool: Frozen
All other samples: Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

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

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 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 1-3 days

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) is a highly sensitive method used to detect Enterovirus (EV) RNA from various clinical specimens. This assay targets a conserved region of the EV genome which allows detection of nearly the entire spectrum of human Enteroviruses, including the Coxsackieviruses, Polioviruses and the Echoviruses. It does not differentiate among the EV serotypes. The diagnosis of Enterovirus infection should not rely solely upon the result of a RT-PCR assay. A positive result should be considered in conjunction with clinical presentation and additional established clinical tests. A negative RT-PCR result indicates the absence of Enterovirus RNA in the sample tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of disease.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Dr
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.