Test Overview
Test Methodology
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Test Usage
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.
Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time
2 - 5 days
Soft Order Code
VVZVP
MiChart Code
VZV qPCR, Plasma
Synonyms
- VZV DNA qPCR, Blood
- VBVZV
- VZV qPCR
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Viracor Eurofins 9501
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection
Collect specimen in a lavender top (EDTA) tube. Spin, aliquot and send to Specimen Processing at room temperature
Alternate Specimen
Acceptable specimen types (1/23/12): aqueous fluid, BAL, bronch wash, CSF, eye swab, skin swab, tissue, trach asp, trach wash, vitreous fluid. All of these specimen types (non-plasma) would be ordered as a Misc Sendout (SO)
Normal Volume
2 mL plasma
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL plasma
Storage Temperature
Ambient, freeze if specimen will not be received by Viracor within 96 hours.
Additional Information
Test sent to Viracor Eurofins.
Billing
CPT Code
87799
Fee Code
36129