Varicella Zoster Virus PCR and Strain Typing
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| 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. |
| Pre-approval: | N |
| Contraindications: | |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
| Preparation for Collection: | 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 |
| Collection Instructions: | |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
Viral Specimens
|
| 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. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Cotton swabs, Specimens collected >10 days from receipt |
| Specimen Handling: | Store specimens refrigerated (2-8C) and transport with cool pack. Send immediately and within 10 days of collection. |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
| 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 |
| Regulatory Compliance: |
| CPT Code: | 87798 |
| Price: | $225.00 Price Effective 1/1/25 |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | N |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |