CPT® Code 87513

Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), clarithromycin resistance, amplified probe technique

The CPT® Code 87513 refers to the detection of the infectious agent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) by nucleic acid testing, specifically focusing on clarithromycin resistance. This procedure utilizes advanced molecular techniques, such as the amplification refractory mutation system combined with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (ARMS‐PCR), the H. pylori with Clarithromycin Resistance Prediction (HPFRP) real-time polymerase chain reaction, or fluorescence in situ hybridization. These methods are designed to identify specific mutations in the 23S ribosomal RNA of H. pylori that confer resistance to the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin. The presence of these mutations is critical, as they can significantly impact treatment decisions for infections caused by H. pylori. The testing is performed on gastric secretions or gastric mucosa, allowing for the detection of the 23S rRNA gene and associated mutations that lead to antibiotic resistance, all without the need for traditional culture methods. This molecular approach enhances the accuracy and speed of diagnosing clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori, facilitating timely and appropriate therapeutic interventions.