ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0055598: Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 RNA Quantitative Real-Time PCR |
| Test Mnemonic: HIVPCRQ | |
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Methodology: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Performed: Sun-Sat Reported: 2-3 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: One 5 mL lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), or PPT.
Transport: 3 mL plasma, frozen. (Min: 2.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Pediatric Collection/Transport: 1.5 mL plasma, frozen. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Remarks: CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Separate plasma from cells within four hours. Unacceptable Conditions: Serum. Polystyrene tubes. Heparinized or nonfrozen specimens. Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles or submitted in a PPT tube (aliquot plasma prior to freezing). Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 4 months |
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| Reference Interval: |
| Not detected |
| Interpretive Data: | |
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The quantitative range of this assay is 1.7-7.0 log copies/mL (48-10,000,000 copies/mL). Results below 1.7 log copies/mL will be reported as "Not Detected" or "Detected - HIV-1 RNA detected below the limit of quantitation". An interpretation of "Not Detected" does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors or HIV-1 virus RNA concentrations below the level of detection of the assay. Care should be taken in the interpretation of any single viral load determination. The clinical significance of changes in HIV-1 RNA measurements has not been fully established; however, a change of 0.5 log copies/mL may be significant. This assay should not be used for blood donor screening, associated re-entry protocols, or for screening Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P). |
| Note: | |
| This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers as an indicator of disease prognosis. This test is also used as an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment as measured by changes in HIV-1 RNA levels. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 87536 |