CPT® Code 87507

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, 12-25 targets

The CPT® Code 87507 refers to the detection of infectious agents through nucleic acid analysis, specifically targeting gastrointestinal pathogens. These pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, are known to cause diarrheal diseases, a significant health concern that leads to malnutrition in children under five years old and ranks as the second leading cause of mortality globally. The procedure involves the simultaneous qualitative detection of various pathogens from fecal specimens collected from patients exhibiting symptoms 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, 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, determining the presence or absence of each targeted pathogen. The pathogens identified can include multiple types and subtypes, such as Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Rotavirus, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. This code is specifically designated for panels that detect between 12 to 25 pathogenic targets, distinguishing it from other related codes that cover fewer targets.