ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0060041: Herpes Simplex Virus by PCR |
| Test Mnemonic: HSVPCR | |
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Methodology: Polymerase Chain Reaction
Performed: Sun-Sat Reported: 1-3 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: CSF, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), ocular fluid, amniotic fluid, tissue (freeze tissue immediately), vesicle fluid, one 7 mL plain red or SST (serum), or one 5 mL lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA). Spin blood specimen and remove serum or plasma before transporting. Specimen source is required.
Transport: 1 mL CSF, BAL, ocular fluid, amniotic fluid, serum, or plasma in a sterile container, frozen. Biopsy tissue: snap frozen and send on dry ice or in viral transport media (Microtest M4 or UTM) (ARUP supply #12884), frozen. Vesicle fluid should be collected on swabs and transported in viral transport media (Microtest M4 or UTM) (ARUP supply #12884), frozen. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.25 mL CSF, BAL, ocular fluid, serum, or plasma in a sterile container, frozen. (Less volume may decrease sensitivity of assay.) Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Unacceptable Conditions: Nonsterile or leaking container. Heparinized or hemolyzed specimens. Stability: Ambient: 8 hours (excludes tissue); Refrigerated: 3 days (excludes tissue); Frozen: 3 months |
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| Reference Interval: |
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Negative - Herpes simplex virus DNA not detected by PCR. Positive - Herpes simplex virus DNA detected by PCR. |
| Interpretive Data: | |
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A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or herpes simplex virus DNA concentrations below the level of detection of the assay. This test is performed pursuant to an agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Please refer to Statement A in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 87529 |