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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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PARVOVIRUS B19 DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3537    Geisinger Epic ID:  121980

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

EDTA whole blood or amniotic fluid


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

1 mL (minimum 0.3 mL) EDTA whole blood or amniotic fluid



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Whole Blood: Refrigerated. Amniotic Fluid: Frozen.


Specimen stability: 

Whole blood: Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: Unacceptable. 
All other specimens: Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 30 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Frozen whole blood. Hemolyzed whole blood. Heparin whole blood or plasma.



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 19724, PRBPCR


Clinical significance: 

Parvovirus B19 DNA, Quantitative Real-Time PCR - Parvovirus B19 is the cause of an infection known as "Fifth Disease". This infection affects children primarily and causes a rash on the face, trunk, and limbs. Joint pain and swelling is more common in adults.  Although serologic detection of circulating antibodies (Parvovirus B-19 IgM & IgG) is useful to determine recent exposure to the virus, DNA testing provides the most reliable evidence of a persistent infection. Quantitative results of Parvovirus B19 viral load may be useful in determining the response to therapy (usually IVIG) and may be beneficial in assessing the risk for nosocomial transmission.


Review Date:  12/17/2024

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