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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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BK VIRUS DNA, QN REAL-TIME PCR, CSF

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3539    Geisinger Epic ID:  121982

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

CSF


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

0.7 mL (minimum 0.3 mL) CSF collected in a sterile leak-proof container



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Frozen.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 30 days.



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 18901, BKVCSF


Clinical significance: 

This test is used to determine the presence of BK Virus DNA in patients specimens. Detection of the virus in these specimens may be indicative of an active infection, as PCF detects the presence of the virus, and not the hosts reaction to the virus. Polyomavirus BK DNA detection in urine or plasma is associated with an increased risk of graft rejection in renal recipients. Quantitative testing may indicate change in risk over time. This is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 500-500,000,000 copies/mL.


Review Date:  12/05/2024

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