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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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EHRLICHIA CHAFFEENSIS DNA, REAL-TIME PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1092    Geisinger Epic ID:  52293

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

0.7 mL whole blood (minimum 0.3 mL) collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (cold packs).


Specimen stability: 

Whole blood: Room Temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: Unacceptable.


Rejection criteria: 

Hemolysis • Heparin whole blood



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  87484
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 11353 E Chaff PCR


Clinical significance: 

Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA PCR is a highly sensitive method to detect the presence of ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA in clinical specimens. The diagnosis of ehrlichia chaffeensis infection should not rely solely upon the result of PCR assay. A positive result should be considered in conjunction with clinical presentation and additional established clinical tests. Moreover, this assay cannot differentiate between viable and nonviable organisms. A negative PCR result indicates the absence of ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA at detectable levels in the sample tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of disease.


Review Date:  12/12/2024

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