Diagnose VZV infection; determine adult susceptibility to infection
Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
Ambient (preferred) - 14 days
Refrigerated - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x4
Hemolysis; lipemia; gross bacterial contamination
Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)
• Negative: <135 index
• Equivocal: 135−165 index
• Positive: >165 index