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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CYTOMEGALOVIRUS DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (PLASMA)

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3541    Geisinger Epic ID:  121984

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Plasma


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube
Specimen required: 

Must collect one 6 mL pink top EDTA tube or three 3 mL lavender top EDTA tubes. Minimum of 1.5 mL of plasma required for testing.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Send unspun collection to testing lab. Plasma will be separated at testing site. Separate plasma within one day of collection and transfer plasma to a screw-capped, plastic aliquot tube. Freeze immediately at -70°C. Test is not available for add-ons


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (2-8°C)


Specimen stability: 

Whole blood: Refrigerated (2-8°C) up to 5 days. Room temperature (15-30°C) up to 24 hours. 
Plasma: Refrigerated (2-8°C) up to 5 days. Room Temperature (15-30°C) up to 24 hours. Frozen (-70°C) Long Term. Can be subject to at most 3 freeze thaw cycles. Thawed specimens may be stored at 2-8°C for up to 6 hours prior to testing.


Rejection criteria: 

Specimens stored or transported at incorrect temperature, frozen at (-20°C), stability limits exceeded, improper collection tube used, insufficient volume, improperly labeled/identified specimens.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

CMV DNA not detected


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
CMV DNA detected (quantified or not quantified)
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.

Test includes: 

Quantitation of cytomegalovirus DNA by PCR.


Methodology: 
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Synonyms: 

Cytomegalovirus Viral Load, CMV, Viral Load, CMV Viral Load, Quant Viral Load


Clinical significance: 

In patients who are immunocompromised, CMV may cause disseminated, severe disease. CMV is also the most common cause of congenital viral infections in humans. Quantitative PCR methods may be useful in monitoring CMV replication in immunocompromised patients. this is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 30 IU/mL (1.48 Log IU/mL) to 100,000,000 IU/mL (8.0 Log IU/mL).


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Julie Hirschhorn, PhD, HCLD(ABB)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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