Background:
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology Division, will implement a molecular assay for qualitative detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA present in cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesion swabs from patients with signs and symptoms of VZV infection. VZV infection causes two clinically distinct diseases. Primary infection with VZV results in varicella (chickenpox), which is characterized by vesicular lesions on an erythematous base in different stages of development; lesions are most concentrated on the face and trunk. Herpes zoster (shingles) results from reactivation of latent VZV that gained access to sensory ganglia during varicella. Herpes zoster is characterized by a painful, unilateral vesicular eruption, which usually occurs in a single or two contiguous dermatomes. This test is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of VZV infection. Negative results do not preclude VZV infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions.
Methodology & reporting:
The DiaSorin Molecular Simplexa™ VZV Swab Direct assay performed on the LIAISON® MDX instrument is a real-time PCR system that enables the direct amplification and detection of VZV DNA from unprocessed cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesion swab specimens without nucleic acid extraction.
The results will be reported as Positive for Varicella Zoster Virus (DNA DETECTED) or Negative for Varicella Zoster Virus (DNA NOT DETECTED).
Effective date: Nov. 22, 2022
Specimen requirement and testing information:
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) by PCR, Lesions
Specimen: Cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesion
Collection: Swabs in viral transport media (BD UVT, M4, M4RT, M5 or M6)
Test Code: SVZPCR
STAT: Available ONLY to the following patient groups:
- Women in labor or women who have delivered without previous prenatal care
- Newborns
Stability:
- Ambient: Unacceptable
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen at -70C: 3 months
Turnaround time (TAT):
- STAT: 120 minutes
- Routine: 1-2 days
- Set-up days: Daily
Rejection criteria: Specimens that exceed stated stability, unlabeled/ mislabeled/ mismatched specimens, and specimens submitted in leaking or non-sterile containers.
A summary of all tests offered by our Laboratory Services can be found here: http://www.pathology.uci.edu/services/index.asp
Cassiana Bittencourt, MD
Director, Division of Clinical Microbiology
Edwin S. Monuki, MD, PhD
Chair, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
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