Test Directory

Adenovirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the transplant setting, causing pneumonia, hemorrhagic cystitis, hepatitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, enteritis, and disseminated disease with the mortality rate reaching 60% in some especially high risk situations such as pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Since proper management is dependent upon early diagnosis, quantitative adenovirus DNA PCR is useful for detecting the virus, tracking the course of infection, and monitoring response to treatment. Treatment of adenovirus in immunocompromised patients presents challenges, including drug toxicity, delayed onset of disease after discontinuing therapy, and emergence of mutations that may affect the ability of diagnostic assays to detect them efficiently.

Specimen Type: Serum 

Collection Container: Red Top, Plain

Desired Specimen Volume: 2 mL

1. Collect a red top, plain tube via venipuncture.

1. Separate serum from cells.
2. Transfer 2 mL of serum to a LabCorp PP transpak frozen purple tube.

Transport to the laboratory frozen. 

See patient report.

Avoid using gel separator tubes; samples collected in gel separator tubes have increased rate of PCR inhibition.