CPT® Code 87477

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The CPT® Code 87477 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed for the detection of the infectious agent Borrelia burgdorferi through nucleic acid analysis, which can involve either DNA or RNA. Borrelia burgdorferi is a type of bacterium that is primarily transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected black-legged tick, and it is widely recognized as the causative agent of Lyme disease. This test is particularly valuable in clinical scenarios where Lyme disease is highly suspected, yet serological tests yield negative results. The nucleic acid detection method utilized in this procedure involves identifying a unique nucleic acid sequence, known as the target sequence, that is characteristic of the B. burgdorferi organism. This identification can occur in various biological samples, including blood, tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or synovial fluid. To perform this test, a direct probe test is employed, which utilizes a probe labeled with either fluorescent or chemiluminescent markers. The biological sample is treated to release nucleic acids from the target organism, if present. The labeled probe then specifically binds to the target sequence, forming a stable hybrid that can be detected. Ribosomal RNA is often the focus of this detection method, as it is present in numerous copies within microorganisms, in contrast to genomic DNA, which may only have one or two copies. In cases where enhanced sensitivity is required, an amplified probe technique is used, which significantly increases the assay's sensitivity by exponentially multiplying the target sequence of B. burgdorferi DNA or RNA into millions of copies. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are the most commonly employed amplification techniques. Following amplification, the replicated sequences are identified using labeled DNA probes. The quantification aspect of this test, as indicated by CPT® Code 87477, provides an assessment of the number of microorganisms present in the sample. Quantitative or real-time PCR is frequently utilized to amplify the isolated nucleic acid segment, generating reports that document the absolute or relative amounts of the known nucleic acid sequence at each stage of the process.