| HSV and VZV by PCR (8000100463) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Swab of lesion or ocular swab. Place swab in viral transport medium. |
| Test Included: | Herpes simplex virus, type 1, Herpes simplex virus, type 2, and Varicella zoster virus detection. |
| Collection: | Aspirate lesion with a syringe, then with swab collect material from the base of the lesion. Collect ocular samples by asceptic manner. |
| Container: | Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM) |
| Minimum Volume: | Adequate cellular material for the assay. |
| Storage/Transport: | Place VTM/UTM on ice immediately. Transport on ice or keep refrigerated. |
| Specimen Preparation: | Transfer fluid and swab to a VTM (Viral Transport Medium) or UTM (Universal Transport Medium) tube. |
| Stability: | Refrigerated - 7 days; frozen - indefinitely |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improper collection, use of wooden swabs, delays in transport, failure to transport cold, unlabeled or mislabeled samples, no date and time of colelction or no collector information in order. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Turnaround Time: | Test is performed once daily. |
| Methodology: | Multiplex Real-Time PCR |
| Performed: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Synonyms: | Herpes simplex virus culture, lesions, HSV culture, VZV culture, Varicella zoster culture, Shingles test |
| Clinical Indication: | Suspected infection with Herpes simplex viruses or Varicella zoster virus from cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesions. Suspected infection with HSV or VZV from ocular specimens. |
| CPT 4 Code: | 87631 |
| Note: | UTM and flocked swabs are available from Materials Management. All three assays are performed on each sample, the order must include all three viruses in it.
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| When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. | |