Ordering Recommendation

Not recommended. Refer to Varicella-Zoster Virus by PCR (0060042) or Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel by PCR (2013305).

New York DOH Approval Status

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 Preparation
Collect

CSF.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 0.5 mL CSF to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.3 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or xanthochromic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Performed

Mon-Fri

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

0.90 ISR or less Negative - No significant level of IgM antibody to varicella-zoster virus detected.
0.91-1.09 ISR Equivocal - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.10 ISR or greater Positive - Significant level of IgM antibody to varicella-zoster virus detected, which may indicate current or recent infection.  However, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection.

Interpretive Data

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.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Compliance Category

Modified FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86787

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0054445 VZV Antibody IgM CSF 31695-0
* 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.

Aliases

  • Herpes Zoster
  • Varicella Zoster Virus CSF IgM
  • VZV CSF IgM
Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody, IgM by ELISA (CSF)