ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 RNA Quantitative Real-Time PCR : 0055598

Mnemonic: HIVPCRQ

Methodology: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 2-3 days
Specimen Required: 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
Reference Interval:
Not detected
Interpretive Data: The quantitative range of this assay is 1.7-7.0 log copies/mL (48-10,000,000 copies/mL). 

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). 

Please refer to Statement B in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory.
Note: If the viral RNA target is not detected it is reported as <1.7 log copies/mL (<48 copies/mL) and assigned an interpretive result of "Not Detected". If the viral RNA target is detected below 1.7 log copies/mL (below 48 copies/mL) it is reported as Not Quantitated and assigned an interpretive result of "Detected".

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
 
 

 

 

 
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