Medical Review - Articles by Medical Review Staff
November 12, 2004
Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Testing
Prepared September 28, 2004
By Howell Johnson, M.D., Associate Medical Director
Epstein-Barr (EB) virus serologic studies will be allowed only for evaluation of a post infectious immune reaction thought to be secondary to EB virus infection (hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hepatitis, or interstitial pneumonia).
CPT Codes :
86663 EB virus, early antigen (EA)
86664 EB virus, nuclear antigen (EBNA)
86665 EB virus, viral capsid (VCA)
Covered ICD-9 codes for CPT codes 86663, 86664, and 86665:
136.9 Unspecified infectious and parasitic diseases
283.0 Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Acquired hemolytic anemia, unspecified
- Secondary thrombocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenia, unspecified
- Other specified alveolar and parietoalveolar pneumonopathies
- Hepatitis in viral diseases classified elsewhere
790.4 Nonspecific elevation of levels of transaminase or lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH)
790.5 Other nonspecific abnormal serum enzyme levels
DNA antigen tests are the most reliably form for screening a patient with active Epstein-Barr virus infection. Use the following CPT codes in patients with active EB virus.
CPT Codes:
87798 Amplified probe technique, each organism
87799 Quantification, each organism- Back -