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Test Code LAB2987 EBV PCR Quant, Blood

Infectious

Additional Codes

LAB2987

Clinical System Name

EBV PCR Quant, Blood

Synonyms

Epstein-Barr Virus PCR

EBV by PCR, QUANTitative Blood

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Whole Blood

Container: Lavender/EDTA

Preferred Vol: 3.0 mL

Minimum Vol: 1.4 mL

Note: When drawing for multiple PCR tests (e.g. ADV PCR, BKV PCR, CMV PCR, and EBV PCR), please note that ADV PCR requires 1.0 mL EDTA whole blood. CMV PCR, EBV PCR, and BKV PCR requires 1.4 mL EDTA whole blood EACH.

 

Heparin whole blood (Green Top Tubes) are not accetable and will be rejected. This test is validated for plasma from EDTA whole blood only. 

 

Specimen: EDTA Plasma

Container: Sterile Container

Preferred Volume: 1.0 mL

Minimum Vol: 0.7 mL

Note: When aliquoting for multiple PCR tests (e.g. ADV PCR, BKV PCR, CMV PCR, and EBV PCR), ADV PCR requires 0.5 mL EDTA plasma. CMV PCR, EBV PCR, and BKV PCR requires 0.7 mL EDTA plasma EACH.

Processing Instructions

CPA: Send whole blood to Microbiology. The sample may be shared with other Viral PCR tests (CMV PCR, EBV PCR, BKV PCR, ADV PCR Qnt) but cannot be shared or added on to samples that have been run through any analyzer. For shared whole blood samples, CPA will collaborate with Microbiology on an aliquot plan if there is a specimen integrity situation (i.e.QNS).

 

Off-site collection:  Off-site Children's Lab locations should spin down EDTA whole blood and aliquot the plasma for storage and transport to the SCH Microbiology Laboratory. Sample should be frozen at -20C for both storage and transport. 

 

Other Off-site Locations: it is recommended that the whole blood sample be spun down to obtain EDTA plasma. The EDTA plasma is stable for up to one week when stored at -20C and is the preferred sample for testing from off-site locations.  

Stability

Specimen Temp Time
Whole Blood Room temp 24 hours
  Refrigerated 24 hours
  Frozen N
Plasma Refrigerated 6 days
  Frozen 12 weeks

 

Availability

Procedure Performed Turn Around Time (TAT)
PCR Mon-Fri @ 9am; Sun @ 7am

24 - 72 hours

 

This test is not available STAT

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory

 

Department

Microbiology Laboratory

CPT Codes

87799

 

Description

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA is detected via nucleic acid amplification. Quantitative nucleic acid detection assays offer analytic sensitivity to detect infection at an early stage before clinically significant disease occurs.  The quantitative nature of these assays also allow threshold levels that can be used to monitor or begin treatment.

 

This test is validated for blood plasma only. The sample may be shared with other Viral PCR tests. For Bone Marrow or other tissue, see EBV qual PCR tissues/swabs. For CSF, see EBV PCR Quant, CSF.

Reporting Information

Final Report: 24 -72 hours

 

The WHO recommends the use of International Units (IU, Acrometrix Life Technologies) as the calibration standards for quantitative measurement of viral load. Children's Laboratory EBV test reports IU/mL. In our independent validation, the recommended conversion factor to match past and current results from the UW virology lab is 1 IU/ml = 1 copy/mL for EBV. In contrast, the manufacturer of the calibration standard recommends a conversion Factor for EBV of 1 IU/mL = 10 copies/mL for EBV.

 

Reference Ranges

Result Interpretation
None Detected Negative
<35 IU/mL Positive (no titer reported, see comment*)
≥35 IU/mL Positive (titer reported)

 

* EBV: The limit of quantitative detection (the minimum virus level that gives a positive result in 90% of replicates) is 35 IU/mL (1.5 logIU/mL). The clinical significance of very low positive results is uncertain and should be individually analyzed with clinical discretion.