Test Details
Test Name
:
POLYOMAVIRUS DETECTION
Alternative Test Names
:
BK VIRUS DETECTION, JC VIRUS & BK VIRUS DETECTION, JC VIRUS DETECTION, POLYOMAVIRUS DETECTION
Code:
PVD
Test Overview
:
JC and BK viruses are in the genus Polyomavirus and have similar genetic make -up. Patients in whom progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is suspected (often HIV patients) should have a spinal fluid sent for testing. Although our test does not distinguish between JC and BK, positive results in spinal fluid samples are generally interpreted as positive for JC virus because PML is a disease of the central nervous system. Patients in whom nephritis is suspected (usually kidney transplant recipients) should have an EDTA (lavender) blood tube collected and the plasma is tested. Again, our test does not distinguish between JC and BK, but positive results in plasma from a kidney transplant patient are interpreted as positive for BK virus because BK virus infects the kidneys.
Test Preparation Instructions
:
For patients in whom progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is suspected (often HIV patients) submit a spinal fluid for testing.