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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS, DNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (PLASMA)

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB5186    Geisinger Epic ID:  196185

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Plasma


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

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



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Send unspun collection to the Microbiology Lab at Geisinger Medical Center. Plasma will be separated by Microbiology Lab personnel.


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. It can be subject to at most three 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: 

EBV DNA not detected.


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

Test includes: 

Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA by PCR.


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

Epstein-Barr Virus Viral Load, EBV, Viral Load, Quant Viral Load.


Clinical significance: 

In patient’s who are immunocompromised, EBV may cause disseminated, severe disease. EBV is one of the most common human viruses in existence. Approximately 95% of the world’s adult population has been infected with EBV and remain lifelong carriers. Quantitative PCR methods may be useful in monitoring EBV replication in immunocompromised patients. This is a quantitative molecular test, with a linear range of 50 IU/mL (1.70 Log IU/mL) to 200,000,000 IU/mL (8.30 Log IU/mL).


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Julie Hirschhorn, PhD, HCLD(ABB)
Review Date:  12/15/2025

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