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Test Code VZVPV Varicella-Zoster Virus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies


Necessary Information


Specimen source is required.



Specimen Required


Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Spinal, pleural, peritoneal, ascites, pericardial, amniotic, or ocular

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Do not centrifuge.

 

Specimen Type: Swab

Sources: Miscellaneous; dermal, eye, nasal, or throat

Supplies:

-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

-M4-RT (T605)

Container/Tube: Multimicrobe media (M4-RT) and ESwabs

Collection Instructions: Place swab back into multimicrobe media (M4-RT, M4, or M5).

 

Specimen Type: Genital Swab

Sources: Cervix, vagina, urethra, anal/rectal, or other genital sources

Supplies:

-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

-M4-RT (T605)

Container/Tube: Multimicrobe media (M4-RT) (T605) and ESwabs

Collection Instructions: Place swab back into multimicrobe media (M4-RT, M4, or M5).

 

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirate or washing, sputum, or tracheal aspirate

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

 

Specimen Type: Tissue

Sources: Brain, colon, kidney, liver, lung, etc.

Supplies: M4-RT (T605)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Multimicrobe media (M4-RT)

Acceptable: Sterile container with 1 to 2 mL of sterile saline

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: Submit only fresh tissue in a sterile container containing 1 mL to 2 mL of sterile saline or multimicrobe medium (M4-RT, M4, or M5)


Secondary ID

618309

Useful For

Rapid (qualitative) detection of varicella-zoster virus DNA in clinical specimens for laboratory diagnosis of disease due to this virus

 

This test should not be used to screen asymptomatic patients.

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization

Reporting Name

Varicella-Zoster Virus, PCR, Varies

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

Ocular Fluid and Spinal Fluid: 0.3 mL
Body Fluid (pleural, peritoneal, ascites, and pericardial): See Specimen Required
Respiratory Specimens: 1 mL
Tissue: 2 × 2 mm biopsy

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reject Due To

Calcium alginate-tipped swab
Wood swab
Transport swab containing gel
Formalin-fixed and/or paraffin-embedded tissues
Heat-inactivated specimen		 Reject

Clinical Information

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). VZV produces a generalized vesicular rash on the dermis (chickenpox) in normal children, usually before 10 years of age. After primary infection with VZV, the virus persists in latent form and may emerge clinically (usually in adults 50 years of age and older) to cause a unilateral vesicular eruption, generally in a dermatomal distribution (shingles).

Reference Values

Negative

 

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in clinical specimens supports the clinical diagnosis of infection due to this virus.

 

VZV DNA is not detected in cerebrospinal fluid from patients without central nervous system disease caused by this virus.

 

This LightCycler polymerase chain reaction assay does not yield positive results with other herpesvirus gene targets (herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus).

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time

1 week

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87798

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VZVPV Varicella-Zoster Virus, PCR, Varies 94584-0

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
VZVS Specimen Source 31208-2
618332 Varicella-Zoster Virus PCR 94584-0

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.