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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3543    Geisinger Epic ID:  121986

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

EDTA whole blood, serum, CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Sterile screw-cap tube
3.5 mL gold-top (serum separator) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL) EDTA whole blood, serum, CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).


Special notes: 

Whole blood: Collect whole blood in sterile tubes containing EDTA. Store refrigerated. Do not freeze whole blood. 
Serum: Collect in a gold-top serum-separator tube. Separate serum from cells, aliquot, and store refrigerated. 
CSF and BAL: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Whole blood: Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 8 days. Frozen: Unacceptable. 
All other specimens: Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 8 days, Frozen: 30 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Heparin anticoagulant. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  87799
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Methodology: 
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 14163, Epstein Barr, EBV PCR


Clinical significance: 

Monitoring EBV DNA levels by quantitative PCR in patients at risk of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders may allow timely recognition of virus reactivation and permit installment of antiviral treatment. This is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 200-2,000,000 copies/mL


Review Date:  04/17/2025

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