CPT® Code 87271

The CPT® Code 87271 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens in body fluid samples through the use of the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) technique. Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpesvirus family and is known to infect a significant portion of the population, with most individuals being infected by the age of 40. While the infection is typically mild and may present with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and occasionally an enlarged liver and/or spleen, it poses a greater risk to individuals who are immunocompromised, who may experience more severe manifestations of the disease. The virus can be found in various bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, tears, urine, semen, and breast milk, and is capable of crossing the placenta, potentially leading to congenital CMV infection in the fetus. This congenital infection can have serious implications, affecting the brain, liver, spleen, and lungs of the affected newborns. Transmission of CMV occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, sexual contact, breast milk, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. The testing process involves obtaining a sample of blood or other body fluids, which is then inoculated with CMV antibodies that are conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate. The sample is examined under an epifluorescence microscope; if CMV antigens are present, the antibodies will bind to them, resulting in a bright green staining of the nuclei, while non-infected surrounding cells will exhibit a dull red color. This method is advantageous as it requires only a single staining step, making it less complex and more rapid compared to other detection techniques.