Molecular Diagnostics | Herpes Simplex Virus Qualitative (HSV), PCR

UWHC Lab Test Details
Test NameHerpes Simplex Virus Qualitative (HSV), PCR
Test Code(s)HCHSVPCR
CPT Code(s)87529
MethodologyReal-Time PCR
Clinical Information

Detect and genotype HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Days PerformedMon-Fri.
In-Lab Turnaround Time2 - 3 days.
Stat In-Lab Turnaround Time1 - 2 days.
Collection Requirements
SpecimenBAL, vesicle swab or fluid, genital lesion swab, mouth swab, CSF, eye fluid, blood
Collection Container
Collection ContainerLavender top
Also AcceptablePink top tube
Collection Instructions

Blood- draw in lavender or pink top tube. Spin transfer plasma.

 

CSF, BAL, and eye fluid - place in a sterile screw cap container. Do not place fluids in UTM.

 

Vesicle swab, genital swab, mouth swab- place swab in refrigerated M4 transport media, Room temperature M4 (M4RT) media, or UTM (Universal Transport Medium).

 

Obtain UTM from UWHC Central Service. 

 

Collect specimen within 3-4 days of onset of symptoms, but not more than 7 days.

 

Do not sample crusted lesions. 

 

Calcium alginate, wooden and transport swabs containing gel should not be used. Use rayon or Dacron swabs instead. 

Collection Volume6 mL
Pediatric Collection Volume2 mL
Specimen Processing Requirements
Stability
Stability Ambient

3 days, for plasma specimens remove plasma from cells as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate or freeze.

Stability Refrigerated

7 days

Stability Frozen

Plasma specimens 30 days at -60°C to -80°C

Sample AnalyzedPlasma
Testing Volume2 mL
Pediatric Testing Volume1.2 mL
Specimen Processing

For optimal specimen, seperate cell-free plasma from whole blood and transfer to sterile polypropylene or inpeco tube as soon as possible of collection. EDTA plasma may be stored at either 2°C to 8°C for up to 7 days or frozen at -60°C to -80°C  for up to 30 days.

Outreach Specimen Processing

Transport specimen to Laboratory using priority overnight delivery only. If frozen, transport separated plasma on dry ice and keep frozen.

Specimen Transport

Transport specimen to laboratory immediately. Refrigerate if delayed. If frozen, transport separated plasma on dry ice and keep frozen.

 

 

 

 

Unacceptable Criteria

Calcium alginate, wooden and transport swabs containing gel should not be used.

Dry specimens are not acceptable.

Urine is not an acceptable specimens.

Interpretation
Expected Results

Expected results: HSV not detected.

 

A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or HSV DNA concentrations below the level of detection by the assay. This assay detects and genotypes the virus, i.e. distinguishes between HSV-1 and HSV-2. 

Test Limitations

False negative results may be due to the suppression of viral replication to levels below the detection threshold, or to inhibitory substances present in the specimen.

 

Inadequate specimen collection, processing and storage may invalidate test results. This test should not be used as the only criterion to form a clinical conclusion; instead, results should be correlated with other test results, patient symptoms and clinical presentation.

Additional Information

Available on weekends for CSF, plasma and ocular specimens only.

 

The performance characteristics of this test were validated by UWHC Clinical Laboratories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved or cleared this test; however, FDA approval or clearance is currently not required for clinical use of this test. The results are not intended to be used as the sole means for clinical diagnosis or patient management decisions. The UWHC Clinical Laboratories is authorized under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high-complexity testing.