Ordering Recommendation

Detect past cytomegalovirus exposure. Not recommended for diagnosis in immunocompromised individuals.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum Separator Tube (SST).

Specimen Preparation

Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.5 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Contaminated, heat-inactivated, or grossly hemolyzed specimens.

Remarks

Label specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Stability

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

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

Reference Interval

0.59 U/mL or less: Not Detected.
0.60-0.69 U/mL: Indeterminate - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
0.70 U/mL or greater: Detected.

Interpretive Data

In immunocompromised patients, CMV serology (IgG or IgM antibody titers) may not be reliable and may be misleading in the diagnosis of acute or reactivation CMV disease. The preferred method for diagnosis is culture of virus and/or demonstration of viral antigen in peripheral white cells (buffy coat), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, or tissue biopsies.

This test should not be used for blood donor screening, associated re-entry protocols, or for screening Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P).

The best evidence for current infection is a significant change on two appropriately timed specimens, where both tests are done in the same laboratory at the same time.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86644

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050165 CMV Antibody IgG 5124-3
* 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

  • CMV Ab, Quantitative
  • CMV Antibody
  • CMV IgG
Cytomegalovirus Antibody, IgG