CPT® Code 87563

The CPT® Code 87563 refers to a laboratory test designed for the detection of the infectious agent Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) through nucleic acid amplification techniques. M. genitalium is a small, gram-negative bacterium that resides in the epithelial cells of the male and female genital tracts. This organism is known to cause various inflammatory conditions, including urethritis in males and cervicitis in females, and has been implicated in female pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The test involves the collection of a specimen, which can be obtained from the penile urethra, endo-cervix, or vagina, using a swab. Additionally, patients have the option to self-collect specimens from the penile meatus or first catch urine, applicable to both males and females. Once the specimen is collected, it is placed into a specialized transport tube that contains target ribonucleic acid (rRNA). This setup is crucial for isolating M. genitalium, if present, through a process that utilizes a capture oligomer and magnetic microparticles. The specimen undergoes hybridization, allowing the capture oligomer to bind to the target rRNA, forming a complex that can be extracted via covalent attachment to the magnetic particles. Following this, the rRNA is amplified in specific regions, and a single-stranded, chemiluminescent-labeled complementary DNA probe is introduced, resulting in the formation of a DNA/RNA hybrid. The emitted light from this hybrid can be quantified as a photon signal using an illuminator reading device, providing a reliable means of detecting the presence of M. genitalium in the collected specimen.