Adenovirus DNA by Rapid PCR

CPT CODE:

USEFUL FOR:

As an aid in diagnosing adenovirus infections.

SPECIMEN REQUIRED:

Submit only 1 of the following specimens: BloodDraw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 5 mL ofEDTA whole blood refrigerated. Specimen cannot be frozen.Note:    1. Specimen source is required on request form for                 processing.             2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the                 specimen. If not ordering electronically, please                 complete and submit a "Microbiology Request Form"                 (Supply T244) with the specimen. Body Fluid0.5 mL of body fluid. Do not centrifuge. Send specimen refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile vial. Specimen cannotbe frozen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Specimensgrossly contaminated with blood may inhibit the PCR and producefalse-negative results. The high sensitivity of amplification byPCR requires the specimen to be processed in an environment inWhich contamination of the specimen by adenovirus DNA is notlikely.Note:    1. Specimen source is required on request form for                 processing.             2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the                 specimen. If not ordering electronically, please                 complete and submit a "Microbiology Request Form"                 (Supply T244) with the specimen. PlasmaDraw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s). (Thrombin-activated tube is not acceptable.) Spin down promptly and send 1 mL of plasma refrigerated. Specimen cannot be frozen.Note:    1. Specimen source is required on request form for                 processing.             2. If ordering electronically, no form is required with the                 specimen. If not ordering electronically, please                 complete and submit a "Microbiology Request Form"                 (Supply T244) with the specimen.
Respiratory Specimens1 mL of bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, naso-pharyngeal aspirate or washing, sputum, or tracheal aspirate.Send specimen refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile container.Specimen cannot be frozen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
See "Virology" in Special Instructions for appropriate specimen selection and transportation.Note:    1. Specimen source is required on request form for         Â

TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE:

Refrig\Frozen NO\Ambient NO-Blood, Body Fluid, Plasma,Respiratory Specimens, Spinal Fluid, Swabs, Tissue, UrineRefrig\Frozen OK\Ambient NO-Stool

CLINICAL INFORMATION:

Human adenoviruses cause a variety of diseases including pneumonia, cystitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, hepatitis, myocarditis, and encephalitis. In humans, adenoviruses have been recovered from almost every organ system. Infections can occur at any time of the year and in all age groups. Currently, there are 51 adenovirus serotypes that have been grouped into 6 separate subgenera.
Culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis for adenovirusinfection; however, it can take up to 3 weeks to achieve culture results (Mayo's shell vial culture provides more rapid results, reported at 2 and 5 days). Serological tests have faster turnaround times, but can be less sensitive compared to culture. PCR offers a rapid, specific, and sensitive means of diagnosis by detecting adenovirus DNA.

CLINICAL INTERPRETATION:

A positive result indicates the presence of adenoviruses.
A negative result does not rule out the presence of adenoviruses because organisms may be present at levels below the detection limits of this assay.

REFERENCE VALUES:

None detected