CPT® Code 86729

Deleted

The CPT® Code 86729 refers to the laboratory test for antibodies to lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), which is a sexually transmitted infection caused by specific strains of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, namely serovars L1, L2, and L3. This test involves analyzing a blood sample to detect the presence of antibodies that indicate an immune response to the infection. LGV is characterized by its ability to enter the lymphatic system through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, leading to a series of clinical manifestations as the organism proliferates within the lymph nodes. The disease progresses through three distinct stages: the primary stage presents as a painless ulcer at the infection site; the secondary stage is marked by painful inflammation of the lymph nodes, particularly affecting the inguinal nodes in heterosexual men and the perirectal nodes in homosexual men; and the third stage can lead to severe complications such as anogenitorectal syndrome, which includes strictures and significant swelling of the genital area. The testing for LGV antibodies is typically conducted using a technique called microimmunofluorescence, and it may be necessary to test for each serovar individually, allowing for the possibility of reporting the code multiple times based on the tests performed.