ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0060280: Herpes Simplex Virus DFA with Reflex to Herpes Simplex Virus Culture

Test Mnemonic: HSVFAC
Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain

Performed: Sun-Sat

Reported: 1-6 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: Throat, buccal mucosa lesion, cervical or genital lesion swab, vesicle swab or fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), or tissue. Immediately place vesicle fluid, swab, or tissue in viral transport media. Source of specimen is preferred.

Transport: Specimens in viral transport media at 2-8°C. (Two-well slide with vesicle swab smear at 2-8°C.)

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.

Pediatric Collection/Transport:

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.

Unacceptable Conditions: CSF, whole blood, or bone marrow.  Dry swabs, wood swabs, or calcium alginate swabs.

Stability: Ambient: 4 hours; Refrigerated: 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable

Reference Interval:
Negative

Note:
If DFA is negative or inadequate, then a HSV culture will be added. (This is due to low sensitivity of DFA alone.)

Sensitivity of DFA methodology is dependent upon adequacy of the specimen.  If there are fewer than 20 cells, the DFA result will be reported as "sample inadequate."

CPT Code(s):
87274 Antigen detection HSV 1; 87273 Antigen detection HSV 2; if reflexed, add 87252 tissue culture; 87253 IP stain.