Ordering Recommendation

Panel that combines varicella-zoster virus IgG and IgM antibodies is preferred (0050162).

Mnemonic

VZM

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Performed

Mon-Fri

Reported

1-5 days

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York DOH approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.1 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Reference Interval

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

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86787

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0099314 Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody, IgM 5404-9
* 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
  • Herpes Zoster IgM antibodies
  • Varicella Zoster Virus IgM
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody, IgM, Serum
  • VZV Antibody, IgM
  • VZV IgM
Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody, IgM