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UWHC Lab Test Details | |
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Test Name | EBV Quantitative by PCR |
Test Code(s) | HCEBVPCR |
CPT Code(s) | 87799 |
Methodology | Real-Time PCR |
Clinical Information | Detect and quantitate Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in blood. |
Days Performed | Mon-Fri. |
In-Lab Turnaround Time | 2 - 3 days. |
Stat In-Lab Turnaround Time | Not available stat. |
Collection Requirements | |||||
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Patient Preparation | Testing is performed Monday-Friday in batched runs. Specimens received by the Molecular Diagnostic lab by 8:30am will be run same day. If received after 8:30am it will be held to following day. | ||||
Specimen | Blood | ||||
Collection Container |
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Collection Volume | 6 mL | ||||
Pediatric Collection Volume | 2 mL |
Specimen Processing Requirements | ||||||||||||
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Stability |
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Sample Analyzed | Plasma | |||||||||||
Testing Volume | 3 mL | |||||||||||
Pediatric Testing Volume | 1.2 mL | |||||||||||
Specimen Processing | For optimal specimen, separate cell-free plasma from whole blood and transfer to a sterile polypropylene tube or Inpeco tube preferrably within 6 hours of collection. EDTA plasma may be stored at either 2°C to 8°C for up to 72 hours or frozen at -20°C for up to 7 days. | |||||||||||
Outreach Specimen Processing | Transport specimen to Laboratory using priority overnight delivery only. If frozen, transport separated plasma on dry ice and keep frozen. | |||||||||||
Specimen Transport | Transport specimen to Laboratory immediately. If frozen, transport separated plasma on dry ice and keep frozen. | |||||||||||
Unacceptable Criteria | LIMIT: One specimen every 48 hours. |
Interpretation | |
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Expected Results | Not detected or low levels
The reported concentration of Epstein-Barr virus particles in blood or body fluids may indicate viremia levels and treatment efficacy.
Detection of low levels of EBV in specimens containing leukocytes is not unexpected, due to the ubiquitous nature of EBV infection in the population.
While detection of EBV in blood is considered more sensitive, clinical studies suggest that cell-free plasma PCR is most specific in the diagnosis of EBV-related disease, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). [Wagner HJ et al., Transplantation, Sept. 27, 2001; vol 72, 1012-1019.] |
Test Limitations | Analytical measurement range for this test is 200-5,000,000 IU/mL (2.30-6.70 log10 IU/mL) of specimen.
Inadequate specimen collection, processing and storage may invalidate test results. This test should not be used as the only criterion to form a clinical conclusion; instead, results should be correlated with other test results, patient symptoms and clinical presentation.
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Additional Information | For specimens in which EBV DNA is detected between the analytical measurement range (AMR), a quantitative value (IU/mL) will be reported. If EBV DNA is detected outside the analytical measurement range (AMR), a result of <200 IU/mL or >5,000,000 IU/mL will be reported. If EBV DNA is not detected, a result of "Not Detected" will be reported.
A result of "not detected" does not rule out the presence of EBV DNA or the absence of infection. False negative results may be due to the suppression of viral replication to levels below the detection threshold, or to inhibitory substances that may be present in the specimen.
DNA sequence polymorphisms in EBV strains may underestimate viral levels. The presence of variations in EBV DNA sequences are monitored in the real-time PCR assay and, if detected, the sample is retested using reagents to alternate amplification targets to verify EBV detection and quantification. This assay does not genotype the virus, and consequently does not provide any information with regard to EBV drug resistance.
The performance characteristics of this test were validated by UWHC Clinical Laboratories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved or cleared this test; however, FDA approval or clearance is currently not required for clinical use of this test. The results are not intended to be used as the sole means for clinical diagnosis or patient management decisions. The UWHC Clinical Laboratories is authorized under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high-complexity testing. |