HIV-1 RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code

40085

CPT Codes
87536

Preferred Specimen

3 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in PPT (white-top) tube

Instructions

Do not freeze whole blood or any samples stored in primary tube. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be stored at 2-25°C for up to 24 hours prior to centrifugation. Separate plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection by centrifugation. If shipping frozen, transfer plasma to a leakproof transport tube, then freeze prior to shipment. Follow manufacturer's instructions for collection tube handling.

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 6 days
Frozen: 84 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received room temperature

Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Next day

Reference Range

HIV-1 RNA, QN, PCR	Not detected	copies/mL
HIV-1 RNA, QN, PCR	Not detected	Log copies/mL

Clinical Significance

This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers of disease progress for the clinical management of HIV-1 infected patients. The test can be used to assess patient prognosis by measuring the baseline HIV-1 RNA level or to monitor the effects of antiretroviral therapy by measuring changes in EDTA plasma HIV-1 RNA levels during the course of antiretroviral treatment.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.