Cytomegalovirus DNA Detection and Quantitation by PCR
Test Mnemonic
CMVQNT
CPT Codes
- 87497 - QTY (1)
Aliases
- CMV DNA
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | Plasma | EDTA PPT (White) | Centrifuge and refrigerate. | Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 36 hours of collection by centrifugation for samples stored at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | EDTA (Lavender) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate ASAP. | Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 36 hours of collection by centrifugation for samples stored at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Transfer plasma to a sterile, screw-capped polypropylene tube. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN. | ||
| 2 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Pink) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate ASAP. | Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 36 hours of collection by centrifugation for samples stored at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Transfer plasma to a sterile, screw-capped polypropylene tube. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 36 hours of collection by centrifugation for samples stored at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Transfer plasma to a sterile, screw-capped polypropylene tube. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | Store and transport whole blood at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Separate plasma from whole blood within 36 hours. Plasma specimens stored refrigerated (2-8 C) are stable for up to 6 days. |
| Frozen | Plasma specimens may be transported and stored at -20 C. Plasma specimens stored frozen (-20 C) are stable for 12 weeks. Do not freeze specimens in PPT tubes. |
| Ambient | Transport and store whole blood up to 25 degrees Celsius for no longer than 36 hours. Separate plasma from whole blood within 36 hours of collection if stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius. |
Days Performed
Mon - Fri
Turnaround Time
3 - 5 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Quant |
Reference Range
| CMV DNA (copies/mL) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Freetext | Negative for CMV DNA | ||||
| CMV DNA (IU/mL) | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Freetext | Negative for CMV DNA | ||||
| CMV DNA (log IU/mL) | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Freetext | Negative for CMV DNA |
Special Info
Store and transport whole blood at 2-25 degrees Celsius for no longer than 36 hours. Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 36 hours of collection by centrifugation for samples stored at 2-25 degrees Celsius. Sterile plasma should be transferred to a sterile screw-capped polypropylene tube. Amplification occurs during testing, all handling of specimens must be performed in a sterile manner. Please order CMVCSF for CMV PCR on CSF/FLD/Tissue/Bone Marrow.
Clinical Info
The detection and monitoring of CMV viral loads is indicated in patients at risk for progressive serious disease caused by this virus. Patients at risk include transplant recipients and patients with advanced HIV infection, among others. This test is used to monitor the amount of virus present in the blood of the patient and to initiate therapy or to suggest changing therapy.