Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgM

Label Mnemonic:	VZMCSF
Epic code:	LAB4229
Downtime form:	A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery

Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593

Specimen(s):

CSF

Collection Medium:

CSF collection kit

Minimum:

Preferred Minimum: 0.5 mL
Absolute Minimum: 0.3 mL

With a traumatic tap CSF from tube #3 is preferred.

Rejection Criteria:

Specimen types other than CSF. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, or hemolyzed specimens.

Turn Around Time:

1-5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

Reference Range:

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.

Test Limitations:

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.

Methodology:

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

CPT Code:

86787