ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0050641: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and/or 2 Antibodies, IgM by ELISA

Test Mnemonic: HSV MC
Methodology: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Performed: Sun, Tue-Sat

Reported: Within 24 hours

Specimen Required:  
Collect: One 4 mL SST.

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

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.1 mL serum at 2-8°C.

Remarks: Separate serum from cells ASAP.  Acute and convalescent specimens must be labeled as such; parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens.  Please mark specimen plainly as "acute" or convalescent."  

Unacceptable Conditions: Severely lipemic, contaminated, icteric, heat-inactivated, or hemolyzed specimens.

Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 2 days; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Reference Interval:
0.89 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable HSV IgM antibody.
0.90-1.09 IV: Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgM antibodies.  Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.10 IV or greater: Positive - IgM antibody to HSV detected, which may indicate a current or recent infection. However, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection.

CPT Code(s):
86694