Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Quantitative Real-time PCR
Test Code: 9500
Cpt Code:
87799 (x1)Clinical Utility
VZV reactivation is commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals. These patients are more likely to have disseminated disease with extensive skin lesions, pneumonia, hepatitis, or encephalitis. Proper management is dependent upon early diagnosis; quantitative DNA PCR is a rapid and sensitive tool useful for detecting the virus, tracking the course of the infection, and monitoring response to treatment.
Procedure
Extraction of varicella-zoster viral DNA from specimen followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR. An internal control is added to ensure the extraction was performed correctly and the PCR reaction was not inhibited. This test has not been cleared or approved for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Specificity
The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for VZV based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected when tested against adenoviruses, BKV, CMV, EBV, HSV-1, HSV-2, HHV-6 variant A, HHV-6 variant B, HHV-7, HHV-8, JCV, parvovirus B19, and SV-40.
Causes For Rejection
Whole blood frozen, specimens received in trap containers, specimens beyond their acceptable length of time from collection as listed in the specimen handling, or specimen types other than those listed.
Turnaround Time
Same day (within 8 to 12 hours of receiving specimen), Monday through Saturday
Shipping
Ship Monday through Friday. Friday shipments must be labeled for Saturday delivery. All specimens must be labeled with patient's name and collection date. A Viracor-IBT test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Viracor-IBT Laboratories, 1001 NW Technology Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Specimen Information
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 3,160 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Do not ship specimen in syringe. Store frozen and ship on dry ice to Viracor-IBT.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 221 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 221 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 251 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL ). Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery to Viracor-IBT.
Test available for NY samples.
(CPT Code:87798 X 1) Assay Range: (Detected/Not Detected). Sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab. Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 278 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. Collect 4-5 mL whole blood in EDTA or ACD tube, centrifuge and transfer 2 mL plasma to sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 278 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. Collect 4-5 mL whole blood in red top tube, centrifuge and transfer 2 mL serum to sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
(CPT Code:87798 X 1) Assay Range: (Detected/Not Detected). Sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab. Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
(CPT Code:87798 X 1) Assay Range: (Detected/Not Detected). Place fresh tissue in a sterile, screw top container. The preferred handling is to not add water, saline or other fluid media to the tissue container; however, fluid media filled containers will be accepted for qualitative results. Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery to Viracor-IBT. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 23 copies/mg to 1x107 copies/mg. Place a minimum of 5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size) in a sterile, screw top container. Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container. Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery to Viracor-IBT. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 221 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 221 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday. Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
Test available for NY samples.
Assay Range: 3,160 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL. Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment (minimum volume 0.5 mL). Do not ship specimen in syringe. Store frozen and ship on dry ice to Viracor-IBT.
Disclaimer
Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Type and Specimen Handling field above.
The CPT codes provided are based on Viracor-IBT's interpretation of the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and are provided for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Questions regarding coding should be addressed to your local Medicare carrier. Viracor-IBT assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.
PCR tests are performed pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.