Toxoplasma gondii Quantitative Real-time PCR

Test Code: 2200
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Clinical and Procedure
Clinical Utility

Toxoplasma gondii is highly problematic when primary infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, often leading to fetal death or when reactivation occurs in immunocompromised patients, leading to life-threatening disease including encephalitis and extracerebral toxoplasmosis. Onset of disease in most patients is preceded by an increase in parasite load. Monitoring blood levels of Toxoplasma gondii DNA correlates well with treatment.

Procedure

Extraction of Toxoplasma gondii DNA from specimen followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR. An internal control is added to ensure the extraction was performed correctly and the PCR reaction was not inhibited. This test has not been cleared or approved for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Specificity

The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for known Toxoplasma gondii strains based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected with any viral or protozoa pathogens.

Turnaround Time

Same day (within 8 - 12 hours from receipt of specimen), Monday through Saturday.

Specimen Information
Specimen Type Test Code CPT Code NY Approved Volume Assay Range Special Instructions
CSF 2203 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

183 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
amniotic fluid 2207 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

266 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect 2 mL in sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped ambient temperature must be received within 96 hours of collection
BAL 2209 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

212 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
pleural fluid 2211 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

266 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
pericardial fluid 2212 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

266 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
vitreous fluid 2214 87799 Yes

0.25 mL (min. 0.05 mL)

1,423 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment.
  • Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container.
  • Do not ship specimen in syringe.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
whole blood 2216 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

376 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in EDTA tube.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 7 days of collection.
trach asp 2219 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

212 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
bronch wash 2226 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

212 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
aqueous fluid 2245 87799 Yes

0.25 mL (min. 0.05 mL)

1,423 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment.
  • Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container.
  • Do not ship specimen in syringe.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice.
trach wash 2248 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

212 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
Shipping

Ship Monday through Friday. Friday shipments must be labeled for Saturday delivery. All specimens must be labeled with patient's name and collection date. A Viracor Eurofins test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Viracor Eurofins, 18000 W 99th St. Ste, #10, Lenexa, KS 66219

Causes for Rejection

Specimens beyond their acceptable length of time from collection as listed in the specimen handling, specimens received in trap containers or specimen types other than those listed.

Disclaimer

Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Information field above.

The CPT codes provided are based on Viracor Eurofins' interpretation of the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and are provided for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Questions regarding coding should be addressed to your local Medicare carrier. Viracor Eurofins assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.

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