Varicella-Zoster Antibody, IgG, Serum (VZPG)

Test Code: VZPGSO

Overview
Ordering
Specimen
Performing
Clinical/Interpretive
Contacts
Coding

Synonyms/Keywords

Chickenpox, Herpes Zoster Antibodies, Shingles, Varicella-Zoster Antibody Screen, Qualitative, Varicella-Zoster Immune Status, VZ Ab, IgG, VZV, Varicella-Zoster IgG, Serum

Test Components

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

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type	Preferred Container/Tube	Acceptable Container/Tube	Specimen Volume	Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat)	Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat)
Serum	Serum Separator Tube (SST)	Red Top Tube (RTT)	0.5 mL	0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Rejection Criteria

Gross hemolysis
Gross lipemia
Gross icterus
Heat-inactivated specimen

Interference

IgG-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.

Performing Laboratory Information

Performing Location	Day(s) Test Performed	Report Available	Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories	Monday through Saturday	1 to 3 days	Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

Reference Lab

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Reference Range Information

Performing Location	Reference Range
Mayo Clinic Laboratories	Vaccinated: Positive (> or =1.1 AI) Unvaccinated: Negative (< or =0.8 AI) Reference values apply to all ages.

Performing Location

Reference Range

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Vaccinated: Positive (> or =1.1 AI)

Unvaccinated: Negative (< or =0.8 AI)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Positive: Antibody index (AI) value of 1.1 or higher:

The reported AI value is for reference only. This is a qualitative test and the numeric value of the AI is not indicative of the amount of antibody present. AI values above the manufacturer recommended cutoff for this assay indicate that specific antibodies were detected, suggesting prior exposure or vaccination. The presence of detectable IgG-class antibodies indicates prior exposure to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) through infection or immunization. Individuals testing positive are considered immune to varicella-zoster.

Equivocal: AI 0.9-1.0

Submit an additional specimen for testing in 10 to 14 days to demonstrate IgG seroconversion if recently vaccinated or if otherwise clinically indicated.

Negative: AI of 0.8 or lower

The absence of detectable IgG-class antibodies suggests no prior exposure to the VZV or the lack of a specific immune response to immunization.

Outreach CPTs

CPT	Modifier (if needed)	Quantity	Description	Comments
86787		1

Synonyms/Keywords

Chickenpox, Herpes Zoster Antibodies, Shingles, Varicella-Zoster Antibody Screen, Qualitative, Varicella-Zoster Immune Status, VZ Ab, IgG, VZV, Varicella-Zoster IgG, Serum

Test Components

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

Ordering Applications

Ordering Application	Description
COM	Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, S (VZPG)
Cerner	Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, S (VZPG)

If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type	Preferred Container/Tube	Acceptable Container/Tube	Specimen Volume	Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat)	Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat)
Serum	Serum Separator Tube (SST)	Red Top Tube (RTT)	0.5 mL	0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Rejection Criteria

Gross hemolysis
Gross lipemia
Gross icterus
Heat-inactivated specimen

Interference

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

Test Components

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

Reference Range Information

Performing Location	Reference Range
Mayo Clinic Laboratories	Vaccinated: Positive (> or =1.1 AI) Unvaccinated: Negative (< or =0.8 AI) Reference values apply to all ages.

Performing Location

Reference Range

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Vaccinated: Positive (> or =1.1 AI)

Unvaccinated: Negative (< or =0.8 AI)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Positive: Antibody index (AI) value of 1.1 or higher:

Equivocal: AI 0.9-1.0

Submit an additional specimen for testing in 10 to 14 days to demonstrate IgG seroconversion if recently vaccinated or if otherwise clinically indicated.

Negative: AI of 0.8 or lower

The absence of detectable IgG-class antibodies suggests no prior exposure to the VZV or the lack of a specific immune response to immunization.

For more information visit:

http://labtestsonline.org

Performing Laboratory Information

Performing Location	Day(s) Test Performed	Report Available	Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories	Monday through Saturday	1 to 3 days	Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

Reference Lab

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

For billing questions, see Contacts

Outreach CPTs

CPT	Modifier (if needed)	Quantity	Description	Comments
86787		1

Return To Top

For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.

26485 Varicella-Zoster Antibody, IgG, Serum (VZPG) // <![CDATA[ _spBodyOnLoadFunctionNames.push("setupPageDescriptionCallout"); // ]]>

26485 Varicella-Zoster Antibody, IgG, Serum (VZPG)