shingles
VZV
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), also known as Human Herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3), is the causative agent of both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). After primary infection, the virus remains latent in dorsal root ganglia and can reactivate later in life, especially in older or immunocompromised individuals, causing shingles. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for VZV DNA is a highly sensitive and specific method used to detect active infection, particularly in cases of shingles involving atypical presentations, immunocompromised patients, or when lesions are absent or unclear. VZV PCR is typically performed on swabs from skin lesions. PCR offers superior sensitivity and faster turnaround times, making it the preferred method in most clinical settings.
References
Gnann, J. W., & Whitley, R. J. (2002). Clinical practice: Herpes zoster. The New England Journal of Medicine, 347(5), 340–346. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp013211
DeBiasi, R. L., & Tyler, K. L. (2004). Molecular methods for diagnosis of viral encephalitis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 17(4), 903–925. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.17.4.903-925.2004
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Shingles (Herpes Zoster) clinical overview. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview.html
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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