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Department

Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Cytomegalovirus viral (CMV) load

Suitable Specimen Types

  • EDTA Whole Blood
2ml Plasma

Turnaround Time

5 days

Cytomegalovirus viral (CMV) load

General Information

The Alinity m CMV assay is an in vitro polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the quantitation of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA from CMV-infected individuals over the range of 30 to 100,000,000 IU/ml. The assay has a dual target design to help ensure protection against potential drug resistance mutations

Patient Preparation

For taking blood samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.

  • Sufficient blood for the test should be drawn into an EDTA vacuum tube
  • Invert tube 8–10 times.

Notes

Sample Stability

Please transport samples to the laboratory for testing ASAP. Primary tubes can be tested up to 24hrs after drawing
blood as long as the tubes have been kept at +4◦C. Separated plasma samples can be kept at +4◦C for 5 days before
testing. Plasma samples are stored for 2 years at -20◦C

Debris within serum specimens (e.g. clots, fibrin strands) may interfere with sample processing as a result of insufficient mixing on draw.

Specifications

  • EQA Scheme?: Yes
  • EQA Status: QCMD & NEQAS