Test Information

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Pneumocystis jiroveci Quantitative Real-time PCR

Test Code: 2000

Cpt Code:

87799 (x1)

Clinical Utility

Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death in individuals with impaired immune systems. Pneumocystis almost always affects the lungs, causing a form of pneumonia referred to as PCP. The organism that causes PCP has been renamed Pneumocystis jiroveci to reflect its new classification as a fungus. Quantitative DNA PCR is useful to detect the organism, track the course of infection, and monitor response to treatment.

Procedure

Extraction of Pneumocystis jiroveci DNA from bronchial lavage, or other respiratory specimens followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR. An internal control is added to ensure the extraction was performed correctly and the PCR reaction was not inhibited. This test has not been cleared or approved for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Specificity

The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for known Pneumocystis jiroveci strains based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected with any viral or protozoa pathogens.

Assay Range

100 copies/mL to 1 x 108 copies/mL

Causes For Rejection

Specimens greater than 96 hrs old or specimen types other than those listed.

Turnaround Time

Same day (within 8 to 12 hours of receiving specimen), Monday through Saturday

Shipping

Ship Monday through Friday. Friday shipments must be labeled for Saturday delivery. All specimens must be labeled with patient's name and collection date. A Viracor-IBT test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Viracor-IBT Laboratories, 1001 NW Technology Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Specimen Type & Specimen Handling

2009 BAL - Test available for NY samples. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube. Ship at ambient temperature Monday thru Friday. Specimen must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
2026 bronch wash - Test available for NY samples. 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube. Ship at ambient temperature Monday thru Friday. Specimen must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
2019 trach asp - 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube. Ship at ambient temperature Monday thru Friday. Specimen must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
2048 trach wash - 2 mL collected in a sterile, screw top tube. Ship at ambient temperature Monday thru Friday. Specimen must be received within 96 hrs of collection.
2016 whole blood - 2 mL collected in EDTA or ACD tube. Ship at ambient temperature Monday thru Friday. Do not centrifuge or freeze. Specimen must be received within 96 hrs of collection.

Disclaimer

Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Type and Specimen Handling field above.

The CPT codes provided are based on Viracor-IBT's interpretation of the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and are provided for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Questions regarding coding should be addressed to your local Medicare carrier. Viracor-IBT assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.

PCR tests are performed pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

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