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Epstein-Barr virus DNA, Quantitative, blood
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Utilization Guidelines | There is no indication for EBV testing on urine samples. |
| Test code | EBVQT |
| Test group | EBV |
| Performed by | MIcrobiology |
| In House Availability | Tuesday and Friday, day shift |
| Method | Real time PCR |
| Collection Instructions | Avoid hemolysis. |
| Container type | Lavender top 6 mL size |
| Amount to Collect | 4 mL blood |
| Sample type | EDTA plasma |
| Preferred volume | 2 mL plasma |
| Min. Volume | 1 mL plasma |
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Collected in heparin tube, gross hemolysis. |
| Processing notes | Separate plasma from cells and freeze at -70C within 6 hours of collection. |
| Units | copies/mL |
| Normal range | Not detected |
| Synonyms | EBV PCR |
| Stability | Room temperature up to 6 hours for whole blood; plasma frozen at -70°C for 1 month |
| Turn around times | 1-4 days |
| Additional information | This assay uses real-time PCR methodology to amplify a segment of the LMP2 gene, and is capable of accurate detection and quantitation from 1000 to 1 x 10e6 copies/mL. If detected with less than 1000 copies/mL, results will be reported as "Detected, < 1000 copies/mL". Change in virus DNA level over time is a better indicator of clinical significance than absolute copy number. This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the UCSF Clinical Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay is most useful in identifying patients at risk for EBV lymphoproliferative diseases including post transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) and certain lymphomas. Immunocompromised patients, including solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and AIDS patients are at higher risk for clinical disease. Studies suggest that rising copy numbers of EBV DNA in plasma indicate a risk of PTLD. In many of these patients, EBV DNA titers rise progressively, even before clinical evidence of disease. Rarely, patients with clinical EBV disease have DNA titers that are undetectable or below 1,000 copies/ml of plasma. This assay can also be used to monitor the efficacy of efforts designed to lower EBV levels. No interference in assay performance was demonstrated in studies conducted on blood specimens containing CMV, HSV, or VZV. References: Kinch A et al. (2007) Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and other Epstein-Barr virus diseases in allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation after introduction of monitoring of viral load by polymerase chain reaction. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases 39: 235-244. Perandin F et al. (2007) Comparison of commercial and in-house real-time PCR assays for quantification of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in plasma. BMC Microbiology 7:22. |
| CPT coding | 87799 |
| LOINC code | 36923-1 |
| LDT or Mod FDA? | Yes |
| Last Updated | 5/22/2013 11:57:35 AM |
| Entry Number | 330 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667