The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Parvovirus, PCR, Human
Order Code: VPARVPCR
Order Form: A-1a Miscellaneous Request or IPR Req
  Commercial "Mail-out" Laboratory
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen
Serum, Plasma, Amniotic or Synovial Fluid
Collection Medium:
Miscellaneous container; contact laboratory
Alternate
Collection Media:
Red top tube, Lavender top tube (EDTA)
Minimum:
Absolute adult minimum:  1 mL serum/plasma (spin samples and remove 
serum or plasma before transporting), amniotic or synovial fluid, or 
tissue (freeze tissue immediately in appropriate plastic tube).

Preferred pediatric minimum:  0.25 mL serum, plasma or synovial fluid 
in a sterile container.
Analytic Time:
4 working days
Reference Range:
Negative - Parvovirus DNA not detected by PCR
A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in 
the patient specimen or Parvovirus DNA in concentrations below the 
level of detection by the assay.

Positive - Parvovirus B19 DNA detected by PCR
Comments:
Fresh tissue (snap frozen) or formalin fixed and/or paraffin embedded 
tissue are also accepted specimen types.  Formalin fixed or paraffin 
embedded tissue can be submitted but it is not an optimal sample.  
Sterile technique required for handling samples.
Methodology:
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
CPT Code:
87798
 
See also:
Parvovirus B-19 by PCR, Bone Marrow
Parvovirus B19 Antibodies, IgG & IgM, Serum

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Updated: 08/11/2008

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.