Serum

Red top tube

3 mL; red top

Plasma specimens

Test performed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

See Interpretive Data

Negative - No significant level of detectable CMV IgM antibody
Equivocal - Repeat testing in 7-14 days may be helpful
Positive - IgM antibody to CMV detected, which may indicate a current or recent CMV infection.

Low levels of CMV IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection.

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. Positive test results may not be valid in persons who have received blood transfusions or other blood products within the past several months. A negative result in the CMV IgM assay does not preclude the possibility of recent primary CMV infection. Use of the CMV IgM assay in cord blood or neonatal samples has not been validated. Serum samples with total IgG concentrations of greater than or equal to 20 mg/mL may cause interference in the CMV IgM assay due to incomplete absorption of the IgG.

Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Immunoassay (ELFA)

Centrifuge within one hour of draw time.
Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot serum into labeled container and cap.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.

Refrigerate serum 2-8°C.

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Use refrigerated coolant packs.

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