CPT® Code 87471

Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana, amplified probe technique

The CPT® Code 87471 refers to a laboratory test designed for the detection of the infectious agents Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana through the use of nucleic acid analysis, specifically targeting DNA or RNA. Bartonella is classified as a small, gram-negative bacillus that poses challenges in terms of isolation and culture in laboratory settings. The significance of this test lies in its ability to utilize nucleic acid probes, which facilitate the rapid identification of the DNA or RNA of the Bartonella species without the necessity for traditional culture methods. B. henselae is known to cause cat scratch disease (CSD), a condition that can result in severe disseminated infections, while B. quintana is linked to trench fever and bacillary angiomatosis, particularly in patients with HIV. The amplified probe technique employed in this test enhances the sensitivity of the assay by exponentially multiplying the target sequences of Bartonella DNA or RNA into millions of copies, thereby allowing for more accurate detection. Common amplification methods include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Following amplification, the replicated sequences are identified using DNA probes that are labeled with either fluorescent or chemiluminescent markers, which specifically bind to the target sequences. Additionally, nucleic acid detection with quantification, as indicated by CPT® Code 87472, provides an assessment of the quantity of microorganisms present by employing quantitative or real-time PCR techniques to amplify the isolated nucleic acid segments and generate detailed reports on the absolute or relative amounts of the identified nucleic acid sequences.