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Toxoplasma gondii Quantitative PCR

Test Codes

Amniotic Fluid: LAB1230263, Viracor: 2207, Aqueous Fluid:  LAB1230271, Viracor: 2245, Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): LAB1230264 Viracor: 2209, Bronchial Wash: LAB1230270, Viracor: 2226, CSF: LAB1230262, Viracor: 2203, Pericardial Fluid: LAB1230266, Viracor: 2212, Pleural Fluid: LAB1230265, Viracor: 2211, Trach Aspirate: LAB1230269, Viracor: 2248, Vitreous Fluid: LAB1230267, Viracor: 2216, Whole Blood: LAB1230268, Viracor: 2216

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: ONE of the following specimen types:

• Amniotic Fluid: 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Aqueous: 0.25 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.05 mL).
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Bronchial Wash: 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Pericardial Fluid:  2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 1.0 mL).
• Pleural Fluid: 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Trach Aspirate: 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.5 mL).
• Vitreous Fluid: 0.25 mL in a sterile collection container (Minimum: 0.05 mL).
• Whole Blood:  2.0 mL Lavender (EDTA) tube (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

• Maintain CSF, Aqueous, or Vitreous specimens frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to transport.
• Maintain Amniotic Fluid, BAL, Bronchial Wash, Pleural fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Trach Asp, or Whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Amniotic Fluid, BAL, Bronchial Wash, Pleural fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Trach Asp, or Whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). CSF, Aqueous, or Vitreous specimens frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens in non-sterile or leaking containers.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

• Maintain CSF, Aqueous, or Vitreous specimens frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to transport.
• Maintain Amniotic Fluid, BAL, Bronchial Wash, Pleural fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Trach Asp, or Whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Transport: Amniotic Fluid, BAL, Bronchial Wash, Pleural fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Trach Asp, or Whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). CSF, Aqueous, or Vitreous specimens frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Whole Blood
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days 
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 6 months

All Other Specimen Types
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 96 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 6 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions. 

Laboratory

Sent to Eurofin/Viracor Laboratory in Lenexa, KS.

Performed

Monday – Saturday
Results available within 1-3 days.

Reference Range

See report.

Test Methodology

Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

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.

CPT Codes

87799

Contacts

Last Updated

1/7/2025