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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (FLUID)

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3543    Geisinger Epic ID:  121986

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Sterile specimen container
Specimen required: 

1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL) CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).


Special notes: 

CSF and BAL: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

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


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  03/17/2026

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