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HelpTest Code CBBRP Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever), Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) PCR, BSpecimen Type
Whole Blood EDTAOrdering Guidance
Specimen Required
The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Coxiella burnetii DNA is unlikely.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)
Acceptable: Royal blue top (EDTA), pink top (EDTA), or sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube (preferred).
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Special Instructions
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Specimen Retention Time
1 weekReport Available
Same day/1 to 4 daysReference Values
Not applicable
Useful For
Aiding in the diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii infection (eg, Q fever)
Testing Algorithm
For information see Infective Endocarditis: Diagnostic Testing for Identification of Microbiological Etiology.
CPT Code Information
87798
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CBBRP | Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) PCR, B | 90443-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 35191 | Specimen Source | 31208-2 |
| 35192 | Coxiella burnetii PCR | 90443-3 |
Method Description
Bacterial nucleic acid is extracted from the specimen using the automated MagNA Pure instrument. The purified DNA is placed on the LightCycler instrument, which amplifies and monitors by fluorescence the development of target nucleic sequences after each PCR cycle. A specific target sequence from Coxiella burnetii is amplified and the resulting segment is detected using specific hybridization probes. Detection of the C burnetii target is performed through melting curve analysis using the LightCycler software.(Cockerill FR, Uhl FR: Applications and challenges of real-time PCR for the clinical microbiology laboratory. In: Reischl U, Wittwer C, Cockerill F, eds. Rapid Cycle Real-Time PCR, 2002:3-27; Kersh GJ, Bleeker-Rovers CP: Coxiella. In: Carroll K, Pfaller M, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 12th ed. ASM Press; 2019:1180-1188)
Supportive Data
This assay was clinically validated in a blinded manner using 52 archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded heart valve specimens from patients with endocarditis. A single sample within this set determined to contain polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors was omitted from the final analysis set. Compared with existing diagnostic data, PCR had a sensitivity of 100% (8/8) and specificity of 100% (43/43). All samples were assayed with a second PCR assay targeting the IS1111 element.(1) Complete concordance was noted between the 2 assays (P >0.999). The limit of detection of the assay is 2.16 targets/mcL for EDTA whole blood.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.