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Test Code VZVPCR Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), Qualitative PCR, non-CSF

Infectious

Additional Codes

LABVZVP

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Cutaneous and/or mucocutaneous lesions

Preferred Specimen: Universal Transport Medium (UTM)

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

(20 - 25°C)

not acceptable

Refrigerated

(2 - 10°C)

 7 days

Frozen

(-20°C)

not acceptable

Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Disrupt surface of lesion and collect fluid with swab. Place swab into UTM.

Specimen Transport: Immediate

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimens prior to transport.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, incorrect collection container, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens collected with calcium alginate swabs will be rejected.

Reference Values

 

Analyte

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Negative

All

All

No VZV DNA detected

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

STAT Turnaround Time: not available

Routine Turnaround Time: 24 hours

Testing Schedule: Monday - Friday

Clinical Indications

  • Aid in the diagnosis of VZV infection
  • Negative results do not preclude VZV infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions.

CPT Codes

87798

LOINC Codes

30187798

Methodology

Diasorin Simplexa® automated PCR

Synonyms/Keyword Search

VZV, Varicella Zoster virus, VZV DNA, Chickenpox, Herpes Zoster, VZV PCR, SHINGLES

Last Review Date

09/23/2025