Search our extensive Laboratory Test Directory to find test codes, ordering recommendations, specimen stability information, Test Fact Sheets, and more.
Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Generally not recommended for the diagnosis of acute disease/encephalitis. May aid in diagnosing varicella-zoster virus vasculopathy.
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates whether a test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is not New York state approved. There are no New York state-approved laboratories available. Submit a Non-Permitted Laboratory Request Form (NPL) to the NYDOH prior to collection of specimen. If NPL is approved by NYDOH, and sample is received at ARUP, testing will be performed.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
CSF.
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
Transfer 0.5 mL CSF to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 0.3 mL)
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Frozen.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or xanthochromic specimens.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year
Methodology
Process(es) used to perform the test.
Semi-Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Performed
Days of the week the test is performed.
Sun-Sat
Reported
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
Within 24 hours
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
Effective October 7, 2024
<1.0 S/CO
Negative - No significant level of IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus detected.
>=1.0 S/CO
Positive - IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus detected, which may indicate a current or past varicella-zoster infection.
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
The detection of antibodies to varicella-zoster in CSF may indicate central nervous system infection. However, consideration must be given to possible contamination by blood or transfer of serum antibodies across the blood-brain barrier.
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
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