Specimen Requirements

Title

Varicella Zoster Virus PCR

Specimen Requirement

Specimen Preparation
Specimen source is required.
Swab specimens (vesicle, ocular) in M4 Media.
Biopsy/tissue specimens in saline.
Bronchoalveolar lavage/wash in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container 1.0 mL.
Sputum undiluted in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container. 1.0 mL.
CSF and body fluids undiluted in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container. 1.0 mL.
Bone marrow in EDTA. 1.0 mL.
Plasma, EDTA (lavender top) 1.0 mL.

Methodology

Polymerase chain reaction amplification and real-time DNA detection. This assay detects the presence of a conserved region of VZV open reading frame 62. The analytical sensitivity of this assay is 50 copies/mL.

Stability

Room temp: 3 days, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 3 months

Reference Range

The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.

Turnaround

2 days performed Monday-Saturday

Clinical Use

Test Code

VZVW