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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS ANTIBODY, IGM

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3243    Geisinger Epic ID:  15234

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

1 mL aliquot of serum; minimum 0.2 mL.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow to clot. Centrifuge 10 minutes at 3000 rpm.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Room Temperature: 4 days. Refrigerated: 1 week. Frozen: 1 month.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded. Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, gross icterus.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

= 0.90 Negative. 0.91-1.09 Equivocal. = 1.10 Positive.


Additional information: 

Results from any one IgM assay should not be used as the sole determinant of a current or recent infection. Because an IgM test can yield false positive results, and low levels of IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months postinfection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. If an acute infection is suspected, consider obtaining a new specimen and submit for both IgG and IgM testing in two or more weeks.


CPT code(s):  86787
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: 

Varicella zoster antibody, IgM


Methodology: 
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
Synonyms: 

VZV antibody, IgM, VZIMAB, VZV, chicken pox IgM, shingles, herpes zoster IgM, Quest test code 8683


Review Date:  11/11/2024

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