Specimen Requirements

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Stability

Days Performed

Mon, Wed, Fri

Turnaround Time

1 - 4 days

Methodology

Reference Range

Special Info

Grossly hemolyzed, icteric or lipemic samples as well as samples containing particulate matter or exhibiting obvious microbial contamination will be rejected.

Clinical Info

The presence of CMV IgM should also be determined to assess the stage of CMV infection. Diagnosis of infectious diseases should not be established on the basis of a single test result, but should be determined in conjunction with clinical findings and other diagnostic procedures as well as in association with medical judgment. Diseases such as Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, toxoplasmosis and hepatitis may cause symptoms similar to CMV infection and must be excluded before confirmation of diagnosis.

Clinical Limitation

Results from immunosuppressed patients should be interpreted with caution. Screening of the general population should not be performed. The positive predictive value depends on the likelihood of the virus being present. Testing should only be performed on patients with clinical symptoms or when exposure is suspected.