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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture

CPT 87252; 87254
Synonyms
  • CMV Culture
  • Culture, Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Test Details

Methodology

Conventional tissue culture and shell vial cell cultures; FA confirmation

Result Turnaround Time

8 - 14 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Documents

Test Includes

Shell vial or equivalent multiwell plate and conventional culture. Shell vial cultures are stained at 48 hours and four days after receipt. Cultures positive by shell vial are reported as final; cultures negative by shell vial are continued for a total of three weeks. CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed. Requests with only a written order and no test number indicated will be processed according to Default Testing for Virology.

This culture is for the isolation of cytomegalovirus; other viral agents will not be routinely detected. If a virus other than the one specified for this virus-specific culture is recovered, identification will be made and an additional charge will apply. The client will not be telephoned to approve this charge.

Use

Aid in the diagnosis of disease caused by CMV (eg, viral infections, pneumonia, and organ transplant-related disease)

Special Instructions

If reflex test is performed, additional charges/CPT code(s) may apply. Submit one specimen per test requested. Specify the exact specimen source/origin (eg, genital lesion). Indicate a specific test number on the test request form. Check expiration date of transport; do not use expired devices.

References

Griffiths PD, Grundy JE. The status of CMV as a human pathogen. Epidemiol Infect. 1988 Feb; 100(1):1-15. 2828088
Hodinka RL, Friedman HM. Human cytomegalovirus. In: Balows A, Hausler WJ, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 5th ed. Washington, DC: ASM Press;1991:829-837.
Naragi S. Cytomegaloviruses. In: Belshe RB, ed. Textbook of Human Virology. Littleton, Mass: PSG Publishing Co;1984:887-927.

Custom Additional Information

CMV infections are common and are often asymptomatic, but can be severe and life-threatening in immunocompromised patients including organ recipients and AIDS patients. CMV is the most frequent cause of congenital viral infections in humans and occurs in about 1% of all newborns. Approximately 90% have no clinical symptoms at birth. Ten percent to 20% of these infants will develop complications before school age. Congenital infection may occur as a result of either primary or recurrent maternal infection. Serology for the detection of cytomegalovirus is available.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Blood, urine, buffy coat, throat, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washings, cervical, semen, biopsy sources, or bone marrow

Volume

10 to 14 mL blood or 4 mL urine

Container

Two green-top (heparin) tubes; sterile leakproof urine container; viral, Chlamydia, or Mycoplasma culture transport provided by LabCorp, or other appropriate transport medium (throat, cervical, semen, biopsy sources)

Collection Instructions

Bronchoalveolar lavage: Submit 10 to 50 mL fluid in sterile leakproof container and refrigerate.

Urine: A first morning clean catch urine should be submitted in a sterile screw-cap container. Refrigerate immediately and ship at 4°C. Do not freeze.

Blood/buffy coat/bone marrow: Collect two green-top (heparin) tubes. Transport at room temperature as soon as possible. Do not freeze.

Other: Collect a viral transport for throat, cervical, semen, and biopsy sources. Refrigerate immediately and ship at 4°C. Do not freeze.

Storage Instructions

Do not freeze. Maintain blood at room temperature; other specimen sources should be refrigerated.

Causes for Rejection

Bacterial swab specimen; specimen received in grossly leaking transport container; dry specimen; specimens submitted in fixative or additive; specimen received in expired transport media or incorrect transport device; inappropriate specimen transport conditions; specimen received after prolonged delay in transport (usually more than 72 hours); specimen stored or transported at room temperature; specimen received frozen; wooden shaft swab in transport device; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
008201 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture 5838-8 008201 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture 5838-8
Order Code008201
Order Code NameCytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture
Order Loinc5838-8
Result Code008201
Result Code NameCytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture
UofM
Result LOINC5838-8
Reflex Table for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Culture
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 008202 Viral Identification 008202 Viral Identification 615-5
Reflex 1
Order Code008202
Order NameViral Identification
Result Code008202
Result NameViral Identification
UofM
Result LOINC615-5