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Test Code VZPG / VZPG-M Varicella-Zoster Antibody, IgG, Serum

Important Note

This quantitative testing is not recommended for general vaccination screening and is only available for use by the University of New England at this time. Please refer to the qualitative screening equivalent, VARZG, performed at NorDx for general vaccination status testing.
 

Reporting Name

Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, S

Useful For

Determination of immune status of individuals to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

 

Documentation of previous infection with VZV in an individual without a previous record of immunization to VZV

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reference Values

Vaccinated: Positive (≥1.1 antibody index [AI])

Unvaccinated: Negative (≤0.8 AI)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86787

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VZPG Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, S 15410-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
VZG Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, S 15410-4
DEXG4 Varicella IgG Antibody Index 5403-1

Clinical Information

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpes virus, causes 2 distinct exanthematous (rash-associated) diseases: chickenpox (varicella) and herpes zoster (shingles). Chickenpox is a highly contagious, though typically benign, disease, usually contracted during childhood. Chickenpox is characterized by a dermal vesiculopustular rash that develops in successive crops approximately 10 to 21 days following exposure.(1) Although primary infection with VZV results in immunity and protection from subsequent infection, VZV remains latent within sensory dorsal root ganglia and upon reactivation, manifests as herpes zoster or shingles. During reactivation, the virus migrates along neural pathways to the skin, producing a unilateral rash, usually limited to a single dermatome. Shingles is an extremely painful condition typically occurring in older nonimmune adults or those with waning immunity to VZV and in patients with impaired cellular immunity.(2)

 

Individuals at risk for severe complications following primary VZV infection include women who are pregnant, in whom the virus may spread through the placenta to the fetus, causing congenital disease in the infant. Additionally, immunosuppressed patients are at risk for developing severe VZV-related complications, which include cutaneous disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement.(2,3)

 

Serologic screening for IgG-class antibodies to VZV aids in identifying nonimmune individuals.

Cautions

Immunoglobulin G-class antibodies to varicella-zoster virus may be present in serum specimens from individuals who have received blood products within the past several months but have not been immunized or experienced past infection with this virus.

 

Serum specimens drawn early during acute phase of infection may be negative for IgG-class antibodies to this virus.

Method Description

The BioPlex 2200 Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG assay uses multiplex flow immunoassay technology. Briefly, serum samples are mixed and incubated at 37° C with sample diluent and dyed beads coated with VZV antigen. After a wash cycle, antihuman IgG-antibody conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) is added to the mixture and incubated at 37° C. Excess conjugate is removed in another wash cycle, and the beads are resuspended in wash buffer. The bead mixture then passes through a detector that identifies the bead based on dye fluorescence and determines the amount of antibody captured by the antigen based on the fluorescence of the attached PE. Raw data is calculated in relative fluorescence intensity.

 

Three additional dyed beads, an internal standard bead, a serum verification bead, and a reagent blank bead are present in each reaction mixture to verify detector response, the addition of serum to the reaction vessel and the absence of significant nonspecific binding in serum.(Package insert: BioPlex 2200 System MMRV IgG, Bio-Rad Laboratories; 02/2019)

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days
NorDx Test Catalog Note:

Analytic time for send out tests is the time it will take to perform testing once it has arrived at the performing reference lab. Please add 1 to 2 days from time of collection to allow for receipt at NorDx central lab and shipment of specimen, add another day if specimen is collected on the day before a weekend or holiday.

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

Method Name

Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-General Request (T239)

-Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916)

Secondary ID

34944