Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1/2, DNA PCR

Additional Information:

UFHPL Epic order code: LAB5165

CPT Code(s):

87529 (x 2)

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), swab, whole blood, serum, plasma or vitreous fluid
Container/Tube: Lavender-top tube (EDTA) or plasma-preparation tube (PPT)
  • Centrifuge the specemin within 24 hours of collection. Transfer the plasma to a screw-cap polypropylene transport tube. Ship specimens to the lab frozen (preferred). To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, submit a separate frozen specimen for each test requested.
Sample Volume (choose one of the following):

  • CSF or Vitreous Fluid: 0.5 mL
  • Swab: 1
  • Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma: 1 mL
Minimum Volume (choose one of the following):

  • CSF or Vitreous Fluid: 0.2 mL
  • Swab: 1
  • Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma: 0.5 mL
Storage:

  • Whole blood is stable at room temperature or refrigerated for up to seven days.
    DO NOT FREEZE.
  • Swab samples are stable at room temperature, refrigerated or frozen for up to seven days.
  • Serum, plasma or CSF samples are stable at room temperature or refrigerated for up to seven days or frozen for 90 days.
  • Vitreous fluid is stable at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 14 days; if frozen, it is stable for up to 90 days.
Rejection Criteria:

  • Incorrect anticoagulant
  • PPT frozen and/or not centrifuged

Use:

This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. It also differentiates HSV-1 from HSV-2.
PCR testing of blood, serum or plasma samples is clinically useful only in potential cases of disseminated HSV infection (neonates, immunosuppressed individuals) and not as an aid in the diagnosis of either mucosal or CNS disease.

Important

HSV PCR is a single test that both detects the presence of HSV DNA and determines which type is present in the positive samples. There is no mechanism, therefore, for testing for HSV-1 without simultaneously testing for HSV-2.

Methodology:

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Performed:

Monday - Friday