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Test Code
RFBOR
Test Name
Relapsing Fever Borrelia Species by PCR
CPT Codes
87798
Expected Turnaround Time
1 - 3 days
Clinical Utility
Diagnose relapsing fever caused by various Borrelia species during the symptomatic phase of infection.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Collection Container: Lavender Top (EDTA)

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions
  1. Collect a lavender top (EDTA) tube via venipuncture.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Transport 1 mL of whole blood in the original collection container.
  2. Specimen source is required (container type).
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

24 hours

Refrigerated

5 days

Frozen

7 days
Causes for Rejection
  • Serum or plasma
  • Heparinized specimens
Methodology
Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction
Limitations

This test is designed to detect but not differentiate the nucleic acid from B. hermsii, B. miyamotoi, B. parkeri, and B. turicatae. Additional less-frequently encountered relapsing fever Borrelia species may also be detected, including B. recurrentis, B. coriaceae, B. theileri, B. lonestari, and B. anserina. A result of "Detected" indicates the presence of nucleic acid from any one of these species in the specimen.
Reference Lab
ARUP Laboratories
Testing Schedule
Routine, daily
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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