Toxoplasma gondii DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
Test Summary
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, is an important opportunistic pathogen of immunosuppressed patients. In AIDS patients and transplant patients, this infection may result in a life-threatening encephalitis. T. gondii can also cause a fatal infection of the fetus if an infection is acquired during pregnancy. Fetal death or major abnormalities such as blindness and mental retardation may occur when infection is acquired during the first trimester. PCR methods may be useful in identifying T. gondii in CSF of immunosuppressed patients or in the amniotic fluid of mothers thought to be recently infected.
Aliases
- N/A
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL amniotic fluid, CSF, or tissue collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
3 mm cubic mm tissue
3 mm cubic mm tissue
Minimum Volume
3 cubic mm tissue • 0.2 mL vitreous fluid • 0.3 mL all other sample types
Instructions
Raw vitreous fluid specimens: Do not dilute collected specimen with additional saline.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
- Whole blood
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: Unacceptable
- All other specimens
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: 30 days
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum • Whole blood or plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube • Amniotic fluid supernatant collected in: Sterile leak-proof container • 0.2 mL vitreous fluid collected in a sterile leak-proof container
Unacceptable Specimens
Hemolyzed whole blood
Order Code
TGONDI
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB2926
Includes
N/A
CPT Code
- 87798
Billing Code
- 700000
CPT Statement
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Physician Attestation of Informed Consent
N/A
Testing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
Reference Range
Not Detected
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
24/7; Report available: 1 - 2 days
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL amniotic fluid, CSF, or tissue collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
3 mm cubic mm tissue
3 mm cubic mm tissue
Minimum Volume
3 cubic mm tissue • 0.2 mL vitreous fluid • 0.3 mL all other sample types
Instructions
Raw vitreous fluid specimens: Do not dilute collected specimen with additional saline.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
- Whole blood
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: Unacceptable
- All other specimens
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: 30 days
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum • Whole blood or plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube • Amniotic fluid supernatant collected in: Sterile leak-proof container • 0.2 mL vitreous fluid collected in a sterile leak-proof container
Unacceptable Specimens
Hemolyzed whole blood
Result Information
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
Not Detected
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
24/7; Report available: 1 - 2 days