: Intracellular rRNA, Specimen, Qualitative, Probe
: This test uses a nucleic acid probe to detect ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from a specific organism inside cells in a clinical specimen, helping identify an infection.
[": A qualitative probe result tells whether the target organism's rRNA is present, not how much is there."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 5025-2
- Short code
- M intracell rRNA Spec Ql Probe
- Synonyms
- M intracell rRNA Spec Ql Probe
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- probe
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Test Detects
: Ribosomal RNA is a component of the cell's protein-making machinery, and its presence indicates that living or recently active organisms are in the sample. A probe test looks for a specific rRNA sequence that belongs to a particular bacterium or other organism.
: The "Intracellular" Aspect
: "Intracellular" means the rRNA signal is found inside host cells in the specimen rather than floating freely. This can support the idea that the organism is established within tissue or cells rather than simply passing through.
: Qualitative, Not Quantitative
: The "qual" qualifier means the result is reported as detected or not detected (or positive/negative). It does not measure how much rRNA is present, so it cannot be used on its own to track how severe an infection is or how it changes over time.
: Questions to Ask Your Provider
: Ask which organism this probe is designed to identify, what type of specimen was collected, and how the result fits with your symptoms and other tests. Results should always be interpreted by your care team in context.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Probe-based rRNA testing is used to support the diagnosis of certain infections by detecting organism-specific nucleic acid in a specimen. Because the result is qualitative, it indicates presence or absence of the target rather than quantity. Clinical significance depends on the specific organism, the specimen type, and the patient's symptoms, so results should be interpreted together with other laboratory and clinical findings.
Short name
: Intracellular rRNA Probe Test
Frequently asked questions
: Does a positive result always mean I have an active infection?
: Does this test tell me how much of the organism is present?
: Why does the test name mention a specific specimen and probe?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy