Varicella-Zoster Virus, Rapid Method, Culture

Test Code

VZVC

Quest Code

2691

CPT Codes
87254

Preferred Specimen

3 mL vesicle/lesion swab, throat swab or tissue biopsy in VCM tube or FDA approved equivalent viral transport media

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

To maintain optimum viability, place swab or fluid into VCM tube (equal volumes of fluid and media) or FDA approved equivalent viral transport media and transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. Best recovery is obtained when the specimen(s) are refrigerated at 2-8° C or kept on wet ice following collection and while in transit. If there will be a long delay before processing, specimens in media should be frozen at -70° C or colder and transported on dry ice. Storage or transport at -20° C is not acceptable. Raw (unpreserved) samples should only be refrigerated and not frozen.

Note: Use Dacron® or rayon-tipped plastic or metal shaft swabs for specimen collection. Do not use wooden shaft or calcium alginate swabs as they may inhibit recovery of viruses and Chlamydia.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

VCM tube or FDA approved equivalent
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen -20° C: Unacceptable
Frozen -70° C: 30 days

Raw (unpreserved) specimens
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Wooden shaft and calcium alginate swabs • Raw stool specimens • Dry swabs • Transwabs or gel based transport media • DNA probe transports • Tissues in formalin or other fixatives • Specimens on glass slides

Methodology
Spin Amplification Culture with Monoclonal Fluorescent Antibody Detection

Setup Schedule

Monday-Saturday Morning Report available: 4 Days

Reference Range

Not isolated

Clinical Significance

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is a member of the herpes virus group that causes varicella (chicken pox) and zoster (shingles). Varicella is the primary infection while zoster is caused by reactivation of the latent virus. HSV and VZV infection may be difficult to distinguish clinically. VZV can be recovered from vesicle fluid usually during the first three days of rash. The incubation period of VZV is 14-15 days and clinical signs of varicella include fever and malaise followed by a rash rapidly progressing to macules to papules to vesicles to crusts over the trunk, neck, face, arms and legs. Zoster is characterized by an inflammatory reaction of the posterior nerve root and ganglia accompanied by crops of vesicles over the skin.

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.