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HIV-1 PCR Quantitative (Viral Load)
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab
Test Code
4621
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: HIVQT
CPT Codes
87536
Includes
HIV-1 PCR Quantative results are reported to the appropriate State Department of Health in accordance with state laws.
Preferred Specimen
8.5 mL PPT (white-top) tube
Minimum Volume
1.5 mL
Instructions
Centrifuge within 6 hours of collection. Send parent tube to Central Lab. No need to send aliquot. IF collected in any other EDTA tube (lavendar or pink) then the plasma MUST be aliqouted
Transport Container
PCR Tranport vial with screw-top. These tubes and caps come in a red bag, ordered through Central Lab. The tubes are clear with volume measurements on the side and the caps are blue.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated: 8 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Any serum or non-EDTA plasma specimens.
Methodology
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Setup Schedule
Monday - Friday (Run 3 times per week)
Report Available
Within 5 days of collection
Reference Range
Not Detected
Clinical Significance
This RealTime HIV-1 assay is a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the quantitation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). It tests over a linear range of 40 – 10,000,000 copies / ml (1.6 – 7.0 Log copies / ml), plus is approved to report detectable levels below 40 copies / ml. This assay is FDA-approved to detect the following sub-types: Group M subtypes A-H, Group O and Group N. This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers for disease prognosis and for use as an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment as measured by changes in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. This assay is not intended to be used as a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of HIV-1 infection.
