ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0050359: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibody, IgG by ELISA (HerpeSelect®), CSF

Test Mnemonic: HERPIICSF
Methodology: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Performed: Sun, Tue-Sat

Reported: 1-2 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: CSF.

Transport: 0.5 mL CSF at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.2 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Remarks: Indicate source on test request form. CSF is the only acceptable specimen type.

Unacceptable Conditions: Heat-inactivated or contaminated specimens.

Stability: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year

Reference Interval:
0.89 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G.
0.90-1.10 IV: Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgG antibody to HSV type 2.  Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.11 IV or greater: Positive - IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G detected, which may indicate a current or past HSV infection.

Interpretive Data:
Individuals infected with HSV may not exhibit detectable IgG antibody to glycoprotein G in the early stages of infection and 5-10% of infections may occur with glycoprotein G-deficient virus.  Detection of antibody presence in these cases may only be possible using a nontype-specific screening test.

The detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus in CSF may indicate central nervous system infection. However, consideration must be given to possible contamination by blood or transfer of serum antibodies across the blood-brain barrier.

Fourfold or greater rise in CSF antibodies to herpes on specimens at least 4 weeks apart are found in 74-94% of patients with herpes encephalitis.  Specificity of the test based on a single CSF testing is not established.  Presently PCR is the primary means of establishing a diagnosis of herpes encephalitis.

Please refer to Statement E in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory.



CPT Code(s):
86696