MIDL PCR Varicella Zoster Virus (VZD)
Department: Molecular Infectious Disease
Test Synonym(s): LAB1372, Varicella Zoster Virus, VZD, VZV DNA PCR
CPT Codes: 87798
Methodology: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Reference Range: Not detected
Tube Type: Blood: Lavender (EDTA), CSF: Sterile container, Lesions: Swab in VTM/UTM (3mL)
Specimen: Blood, Lesions, CSF
Alternate Specimen: Need Medical Director approval
Pediatric Requirements: Blood (EDTA): 2mL; CSF: 0.5mL; VTM: 0.5mL
Volume: Blood (EDTA): 4mL; CSF: 1mL; VTM: 3mL
Minimum Volume: Blood (EDTA): 2mL; CSF: 0.5mL; VTM: 0.5mL
Temperature: Blood: Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours; Plasma: Refrigerated (2-8C)-up to 6 days; CSF: Room temperature-24 hours, Refrigerated-up to 7 days; VTM/UTM:Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours, Refrigerated (2-8C): up to 6 days
Stability: Blood: Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours; Plasma: Refrigerated (2-8C)-up to 6 days; CSF: Room temperature-24 hours, Refrigerated-up to 7 days; VTM/UTM:Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours, Refrigerated (2-8C): up to 6 days
Reasons for Rejection: Alternative specimen sent without Medical Director approval
Days Performed: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Times Performed: Once per day Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
TAT: 48 hours
Significance: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is responsible for common childhood varicella (chickenpox) and adult-onset zoster (shingles). Clinical symptoms of reactivation can be very severe and life-threatening in immunocompromised hosts. One complication of primary or reactivated VZV infection is meningitis or encephalitis, which makes prompt recognition of VZV in CSF critical to appropriate therapeutic management with acyclovir. Viral culture of CSF for VZV lacks sufficient sensitivity and speed to support clinical management of suspected VZV CNS infection. Similarly, VZV serologic testing typically provides limited utility for the diagnosis of VZV meningitis or encephalitis due to the indirect assessment of infection, necessity for matched acute and convalescent specimens, and false-positive IgM results. PCR detection of VZV DNA in CSF is the preferred laboratory diagnostic approach to CNS disease caused by this virus.
Special Instructions:
Click here to print the Molecular Diagnostics requisition.
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