Aspergillus DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232336, Beaker: AspPCRBAL, Quest: 18873

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect one:

• 3.0 mL bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum collected in a plastic sterile leak-proof container.
• 3.0 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (Lavender-top) tube.
• 1.0 mL CSF collected in a plastic sterile leak-proof container.
• 3.0 mm tissue collected in a plastic sterile leak-proof container.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain BAL, Whole blood, and CSF specimens in original containers and refrigerate at (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Freeze tissue specimens at (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport:

• Fluid or whole blood refrigerated at (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 2.0 mL BAL, sputum, or whole blood; 0.3 mL CSF)
• Tissue, frozen at (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 3.0 mm tissue)

Rejection Criteria

Tissue received thawed.

In-Lab Processing

Maintain BAL, Whole blood, and CSF specimens in original containers and refrigerate at (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Freeze tissue specimens at (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to transport.

Transport:

• Fluid or whole blood refrigerated at (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 2.0 mL BAL, sputum, or whole blood; 0.3 mL CSF)
• Tissue, frozen at (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 3.0 mm tissue)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

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 Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL. Forwarded to Med Fusion Services, Lewisville, TX.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

Aspergillus spp.	Not detected.
A. fumigatus	Not detected.
A. terreus	Not detected.

 

Test Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Aspergillus DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR – Diagnostic methods based on Real-Time PCR offer the possibility of expedient detection of Aspergillus from a variety of clinical specimens. Rapid, specific diagnosis of A. terreus is important because this organism is often refractory to amphotericin B treatment.

CPT Codes

87798

Contacts

Last Updated

9/15/2026