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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

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

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

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.

Analytic Time

Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day