Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog
CMV IGM ANTIBODY
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB2171 Geisinger Epic ID: 7421Serum
0.5 mL serum; minimum 0.2 mL
None.
Allow to clot. Centrifuge and submit 0.5 mL serum.
Refrigerated (preferred). Room temperature (stable 8 hours) or frozen specimen also acceptable.
Room temperature: 8 hours. 2-8°C: 4 days. Frozen: 6 months
Specimen stability exceeded; specimen grossly hemolyzed.
| Result | Interpretation |
| Negative | Absence of detectable CMV IgM antibodies. A negative result, however, does not always rule out acute hCMV infection. The IgM response may not be detectable in the very early stage of infection or if the patient is immunocompromised. If clinical exposure to hCMV is suspected despite a negative finding, a second sample should be collected and tested no less than one to two weeks later. |
| Equivocal | Suggest a second sample be collected and tested one to two weeks later. |
| Positive | Presence of detectable CMV IgM antibodies. A positive result is generally indicative of acute infection, reactivation, or persistent IgM production. |
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.
Qualitative determination of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus.
CMV IgM, Cytomegalovirus IgM, CMVM, TORCH, CMV IGM AB, Cytomegalovirus antibody IgM
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) exposure occurs throughout life, and by adulthood 50-90% of the population is seropositive for CMV antibodies. A single positive CMV IgG result is useful in distinguishing subjects who have been exposed to the virus from those who have not and by itself is indicative of a prior infection. Testing for CMV IgM antibodies is recommended to support a diagnosis of a current infection.
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM