Varicella Zoster by PCR
Test Mnemonic
VZPCR
CPT Codes
- 87798 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
11483-5
Aliases
- Chickenpox
- Herpes Zoster
- VZV PCR
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | Sterile container | Frozen | Specimen source is required |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Lavender) | Frozen | Specimen source is required. | |
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Frozen | Specimen source is required. | |
| Other | Tissue | Sterile container | Frozen | Transfer tissue to sterile container and freeze immediately. Specimen source required. Do not send tissues in optimal cutting temperature compound. | |
| 1 mL | Fluid, ocular | Sterile container | Frozen | Specimen source required. Testing from ocular fluid may be performed with a disclaimer for short volume on as little as 20 uL sample. The performing laboratory (ARUP) will determine whether there is sufficient volume for testing to be performed. | |
| 1 mL | Fluid, vesicle | Swab in M4 or Universal Transport Media (UTM) | Frozen | Specimen source is required. May also use viral transport media (ARUP supply #12884). |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | Specimen source required. Testing from ocular fluid may be performed with a disclaimer for short volume on as little as 20 uL sample. The performing laboratory (ARUP) will determine whether there is sufficient volume for testing to be performed. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Tissue: Unacceptable; All other specimen types: 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | Tissue: Unacceptable; All other specimen types: 5 days |
| Frozen | All specimen types: 3 months |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
3 - 6 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) |
Reference Range
Special Info
Specimen source required. Heparinized specimens and tissues in optimal cutting temperature compound are unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved