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Orderable Name BABPB Babesia species, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood

Additional Codes

CNE Order Code: BabesiaPCR


Ordering Guidance


This is a qualitative assay, and the results are reported either as negative or positive for targeted Babesia species DNA.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Royal blue top (EDTA), pink top (EDTA), or sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube (preferred).


Useful For

Initial screening or confirmatory testing for suspected babesiosis during the acute febrile stage of infection in patients from endemic areas, especially when Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears do not reveal any organisms, or the organism morphology is inconclusive

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood EDTA Refrigerated 7 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia Reject

Reference Values

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 4 days

CPT Code Information

87798 x2

87469

87999 (if appropriate for government payers)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.