Herpes Simplex Virus PCR
Label Mnemonic: HSVPR
Epic code: LAB7468
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Amniotic Fluid
Collection Medium:
Sterile container
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 0.5 mL fluid
Absolute Minimum: 0.3 mL fluid

Collect in sterile container: Submit 0.5 mL amniotic fluid.
Delivery Instructions:
Submit specimen to laboratory as soon as possible after collection period is completed.
Turn Around Time:
24 hours upon receipt at reference laboratory (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Negative
Interpretive Data:
This is a qualitative assay; results are reported either as negative or positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or HSV type 2 nucleic acid.

Detection of HSV DNA in clinical specimens supports the clinical diagnosis of infection due to the virus.
Comments:
Useful For:
Direct detection and differentiation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA in various specimen types from symptomatic patients.

Aids in diagnosis of HSV infection in symptomatic patients.

This test is not intended to be used for prenatal screening.

Cautions: A negative result does not eliminate the possibility of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. There is a risk of a false- negative result due to improperly collected, transported, or handled swab samples.

There is a risk of a false-positive result due to contamination by target organisms or their nucleic acids, which may be introduced at the point of sample collection or testing. Every effort to minimize the risk of contamination should be taken.

The ARIES HSV 1 and 2 assay may not detect a coinfection of HSV-1 and -2 in specimens where the 2 virus types are not equally represented in clinical specimens.

The ARIES HSV 1 and 2 assay detects and differentiates between HSV-1 and HSV-2 only. It does not detect or differentiate any other herpes viruses (eg, cytomegalovirus [CMV], Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]). This assay does not distinguish between infectious HSV-1 or 2 and the presence of nucleic acid (ie, noninfectious viral particles).

Results should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Advisory Information:
If HSV is suspected in blood, order test HSVPCRB, LAB7879 / Herpes Simplex Virus by PCR, Whole Blood.

If HSV is suspected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), order test HSVPCR, LAB2467 / HSV Qualitative PCR.

If varicella zoster virus is suspected, order test VZVPR, LAB7466 / Varicella-Zoster Virus PCR, Amniotic Fluid.
Methodology:
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
CPT Code:
87529
 
See also:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Qualitative by PCR, BAL or Amniotic Fluid
Toxoplasma gondii PCR, Amniotic Fluid
Varicella-Zoster Virus PCR, Amniotic Fluid