Varicella Zoster Virus PCR and Strain Typing Print

WSLH Department: CDD - Communicable Disease Division
WSLH Test Code: VR01737
Day(s) Performed: Monday-Friday
Turn-around Time: 1-3 Days
Recommended Uses: Test of choice for detection of Varicella zoster virus in dermal lesion specimens. This test can also be used to differentiate wild-type from vaccine strain infections.
Contraindications:
Additional Tests Performed:
Patient Preparations: See instructions provided with the Viral Specimens collection kit.
Specimen Requirements: Dermal/lesion swab or scab collected using a Dacron-tipped swab with a plastic shaft, in Viral Transport Medium, or CSF
Specimen Handling & Transport: Store specimens refrigerated (2-8C) and transport with cool pack. Send immediately and within 10 days of collection.
Collection Kit/Container: Viral Specimens
Collection Instructions:
Unacceptable Conditions: Cotton swabs, Specimens collected >10 days from receipt
Requisition Form: CDD Requisition Form A
Required Information: Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label.
Results Include: No Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) DNA detected, Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) Vaccine Strain DNA detected. Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) Wild-type DNA detected. Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) DNA detected, unable to type, Equivocal, Indeterminate
Limitations: A negative test result does not rule out infection with Varicella Zoster virus.
Additional Tests Recommended:
Additional Comments:
Methodology: Real-time PCR
Includes: Real-time PCR for the detection and strain typing of Varicella zoster virus DNA
CPT Code: 87798
Price: $232.00
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