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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CYTOMEGALOVIRUS DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (CSF/AMNIOTIC FLUID)

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3541    Geisinger Epic ID:  121984

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum OR CSF OR amniotic fluid


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL


Special notes: 

Serum: Allow to clot at room temperature and separate from cells within 2 hours of collection. Aliquot and store refrigerated. 
CSF, amniotic fluid: Collect in a sterile container and store refrigerated or frozen.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Serum: Centrifuge within 2 hours, aliquot and store refrigerated.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (cold packs)


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 48 hours. Refrigerated: 8 days. Frozen: 30 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Heparinized specimens



TEST DETAILS
Additional information: 

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.


CPT code(s):  87497
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 10600, CMV Qn PCR


Clinical significance: 

In patients who are immunocompromised, CMV may cause disseminated, severe disease. CMV is also the most common cause of congenital viral infection in humans. Quantitative PCR methods may be useful in monitoring CMV replication in immunosuppressed patients or in determining the viral load of CMV in amniotic fluid. This is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 200-2,000,000 IU/mL.


Review Date:  12/16/2024

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