Test Code VZVQN Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA, Quantitative Real-Time PCR [19493X]
Specimen Required
1 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube, or 1 mL CSF, bronchial wash/brush collected in a sterile, plastic, leak-proof container, or 1 mL eye fluid collected in a sterile, plastic, leak-proof container
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL all other specimens 0.2 mL eye fluid
Specimen Stability
Whole blood
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimens
Room temperature: 48
hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Rejection Due To
Heparin whole blood
Report Available
Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Collection Container / Tube
Preferred: EDTA (lavendar top)
Other Acceptable Container: ACD
(yellow-top), Sterile leak proof container
Transport / Storage Conditions
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Reference Values
500 copies/mL
Day(s) Performed
Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day
CPT Codes
87799
Clinical Reference
Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family that causes chickenpox as a primary infection and can reactivate later in life as herpes zoster or shingles. VZV infection in immunocompromised individuals often leads to a progressive disease state involving multiple organs. The detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) DNA is based upon the real-time amplification and detection of specific VZV genomic DNA sequences by PCR from total DNA extracted from the specimen. The quantitative range of this assay is 500-2,000,000 copies/mL.