Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1/2, DNA PCR

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Category:

Turnaround Time: 2 - 4 days
CPT Code: 87529(2)
Test Type: 0.5 mL CSF; 1 swab/1 mL whole blood/serum/plasma
Stability Time:

Whole blood is stable at room temperature or refrigerated for seven days; do not freeze. Swab samples are stable at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen for seven days. Serum, plasma, or CSF samples are stable at room temperature or refrigerated for seven days or frozen for 90 days.

Overview:

This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections; it also differentiates HSV-1 from HSV-2. PCR testing of blood, serum, or plasma samples is clinically useful only in potential cases of disseminated HSV infection (neonates, immunosuppressed individuals) and not as an aid in the diagnosis of either mucosal or CNS disease.

Collection Details:

Collection Instructions:

HSV PCR is a single test that both detects the presence of HSV DNA and determines which type is present in the positive samples. There is no mechanism, therefore, for testing for HSV-1 without simultaneously testing for HSV-2.

Sterile container (CSF), universal transport medium (swab), red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, lavender-top (EDTA) tube, or yellow-top (ACD) tube

To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

Whole blood is stable at room temperature or refrigerated for seven days; do not freeze. Swab samples are stable at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen for seven days. Serum, plasma, or CSF samples are stable at room temperature or refrigerated for seven days or frozen for 90 days.