Specimen

CSF, Ocular specimen, Tissue Biopsy, Vesicle fluid

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

1 mL CSF, ocular specimen in sterile container or tissue biopsy

Pediatric Minimum: 0.25 mL

Rejection Criteria:

Non sterile or leaking containers, heparinized or hemolyzed specimens, 
tissue in formalin or other preservatives.

Analytic Time:

4 days

Reference Range:

Reference Range:  Negative = VZV DNA not detected by PCR
                  Positive = VZV DNA detected by PCR
A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR reaction 
inhibitors in the patient specimen or VZV DNA in concentrations below 
the level of detection by the assay.

Comments:

Specimen source must be recorded on requisition.

Freeze tissue immediately.  Transport fresh snap frozen tissue on dry 
ice.

Transport vesical fluid or tissue biopsy in viral transport media.

Methodology:

Polymerase Chain Reaction

CPT Code:

87798