Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

VISCS
8168
VAE
60299
diagnosis by isolation is very helpful in the medical management of these patients.
Useful For: Diagnosing viral infections
Interpretation: A positive result indicates that virus was present in the specimen submitted. Clinical
correlation is necessary to determine the significance of this finding. Influenza virus infection is a
state-mandated reportable disease. Negative results may be seen in a number of situations including
absence of viral disease, inability of the virus to grow in culture (examples of organisms not detected by
culture include Epstein-Barr virus, rubella virus, and papilloma virus), and nonviable organisms
submitted. Parainfluenza virus type 4 may also not be detected by viral culture.
Reference Values:
Negative
If positive, virus is identified.
Clinical References: Smith TF: Antibody-enhanced detection of viruses in cell cultures. In Manual
of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. 5th edition. Edited by NR Rose, EC de Marcio, JD Folds, et al.
Washington, DC, ASM Press, 1997, pp 618-624
Viscosity, Serum
Clinical Information: Viscosity is the property of fluids to resist flow. Hyperviscosity may be
manifested by oronasal bleeding, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, nystagmus, deafness, diplopia,
ataxia, paresthesias, or congestive heart failure. Funduscopic examination reveals dilation of retinal veins
and flame shaped retinal hemorrhages. The most common cause of serum hyperviscosity is the presence
of large concentrations of IgM monoclonal proteins, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia accounts for
80% to 90% of hyperviscosity cases. Hyperviscosity syndrome can also occur in multiple myeloma
patients. Because the ability of a monoclonal protein to cause hyperviscosity is affected by its
concentration, molecular weight, and aggregation, sera with concentrations of monoclonal IgM >4 g/dL,
IgA >5 g/dL, or IgG >6 g/dL should be tested for hyperviscosity. Serum viscosity and electrophoresis are
recommended before and after plasmapheresis in order to correlate viscosity and M-spike with patient
symptoms. This correlation may be useful for anticipating the need for repeat plasmapheresis.
Useful For: Detection of increased viscosity Monitoring patients with hyperviscosity syndrome
Interpretation: Although viscosities >1.5 centipoises (cP) are abnormal, hyperviscosity is rarely
present unless the viscosity is >3 cP.
Reference Values:
> or =16 years: < or =1.5 centipoises
Reference values have not been established for patients that are