Test Overview
Test Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Test Usage

Detection or quantitation of BK virus DNA. Used for monitoring nephropathy in transplant patients; determining BK virus reactivation disease in bone marrow and renal transplant patients.

Test Limitations

Diagnosis of BK infection should not rely solely upon the result of a PCR assay. A positive PCR result should be considered in conjunction with clinical presentation and additional established clinical tests. A negative result indicates the absence of BKV DNA in the sample tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of the infection.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday - Saturday
Analytic Time

1 day

Soft Order Code
VBKP
MiChart Code
BK Virus PCR, Quantitative, Plasma (Sendout)
Synonyms
  • VBBK
  • BKV DNA qPCR, Blood
  • BKV
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Viracor Eurofins 2500
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection

Collect specimen in a lavender top (EDTA) tube. If specimen will not be received by Viracor within 96 hours, centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a screw-capped plastic vial. Freeze. Specimens sent for BK Virus DNA testing require a dedicated sample and cannot be shared with other laboratories.

Lavender Top Tube
Normal Volume
2 mL EDTA plasma
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL EDTA plasma
Additional Information

BK virus is a human polyomavirus. After primary infection, the virus enters latency in the host, most likely in the urogenital tract. Asymptomatic reactivation and intermittent shedding of the virus in urine occur spontaneously in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed persons. BK virus replication in the urogenital tract can also present as hematuria, hemorrhagic cystitis, ureteric stenosis and interstitial nephritis. Persistent viral replication in recipients of renal allografts can cause progressive dysfunction and eventual loss of the transplanted kidney. Test sent to Viracor Eurofins.

Billing
CPT Code
87799
Fee Code
36120
LOINC
48309-9
NY State Approved
No