CPT® Code 87506

Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gastrointestinal pathogen (eg, Clostridium difficile, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Giardia), includes multiplex reverse transcription, when performed, and multiplex amplified probe technique, multiple types or subtypes, 6-11 targets

The CPT® Code 87506 refers to the detection of infectious agents through nucleic acid analysis, specifically targeting gastrointestinal pathogens. These pathogens are known to cause diarrheal diseases, which are particularly concerning as they are the leading cause of malnutrition in children under five years of age and the second leading cause of mortality in this demographic. The procedure involves the simultaneous qualitative detection of various pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites from fecal specimens collected from patients exhibiting signs and symptoms indicative of infectious colitis or gastroenteritis. During the testing process, the fecal sample is introduced into a culture medium where the nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, of the pathogens are amplified using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription. Advanced technologies, such as the Luminex xTAG system, are employed to analyze the sample, allowing for the detection of the presence or absence of each targeted pathogen. The pathogens identified through this code include various types and subtypes of Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Rotavirus, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. It is important to note that this specific code, 87506, is designated for panels that test for 6 to 11 pathogenic targets, distinguishing it from other related codes that cover different ranges of targets.