CPT Code(s):
87903
Collection Procedure:
- Collect specimens in two lavender-top tube (EDTA) or two PPT™ tubes. Do not use green-top tubes (heparin).
- Centrifuge specimens within six hours of collection.
- Transfer the collected plasma to one or more polypropylene screw-capped tubes and freeze it.
- Ship specimens frozen. To avoid delays in turnaround time, when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Specimen Requirements:
Type: Plasma, frozen
Container/Tube: Lavender-top tube (EDTA) or plasma-preparation tube (PPT™)
Sample Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume: 1.1 mL
Storage: Freeze specimens immediately after collection.
Rejection Criteria:
- Insufficient volume
- Heparinized plasma
- Non-frozen specimens
- PPT™ not centrifuged
Use:
This test is used to determine a patient’s phenotypic susceptibility to enfuvirtide (Fuzeon®) and assesses likely effectiveness before enfuvirtide is added to that person’s regimen or before changing a regimen that includes enfuvirtide.
Limitations
This procedure should be used for patients with documented HIV-1 infection and viral loads ≥ 1,000 copies/mL.
Methodology:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and viral culture