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Lab Dept:
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Microbiology/Virology
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Test Name:
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HSV BY PCR
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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HSVP
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Synonyms:
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) DNA Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Spinal Fluid; HSV Detection by Real-Time PCR; LightCycler HSV
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CPT Codes:
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87529 - Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Herpes simplex virus, amplified probe technique
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Test Includes:
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Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction detection of Herpes Simplex Virus reported as negative or positive for type 1 DNA or type 2 DNA.
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Useful for rapid qualitative detection of HSV DNA.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Microbiology - Sendouts
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Referred to:
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Mayo Medical Laboratories (Test# 80575)
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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1 – 3 day, set up Monday-Saturday
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Special Instructions:
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Specimens grossly contaminated with blood may inhibit the PCR and produce false negative results. Specimen type is required on specimen submission.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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CSF, Body Fluid, Dermal/Ocular Specimens, Genital Specimens (cervix, rectum, urethra, vagina, or other genital site), Respiratory Specimens, Throat Swabs
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Container:
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CSF/Body Fluid: Screw-capped, sterile vial
Dermal/Ocular Specimens: Culture transport swab. (Note: Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wood swab, or transport swab containing gel is not acceptable for PCR testing.)
Genital Specimens: Culture transport swab (Mayo Supply T092). (Note: Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wood swab, or transport swab containing gel is not acceptable for PCR testing.)
Respiratory Specimens: Screw-capped, sterile vial
Throat: Culture transport swab. (Note: Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wood swab, or transport swab containing gel is not acceptable for PCR testing.)
Tissue (Brain, Colon, Kidney, Liver, Lung, etc): Screw-capped sterile vial with 1-2 mL of sterile saline or multi-microbe medium. Note: Tissues are resulted with a disclaimer.
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Volume:
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CSF/Body Fluid: 0.5 mL (Minimum: 0.3 mL)
Respiratory Specimens: 1.5 mL (Minimum: 1.0 mL)
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Collection:
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CSF/Body Fluid: Aseptic technique or puncture
Dermal/Ocular, Genital Specimens, Throat: Culture swab collection
Respiratory Specimens: Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, naso-pharyngeal aspirate or washing, sputum or trachial aspirate.
Tissue (Brain, Colon, Kidney, Liver, Lung, etc): Tissue collection as determined by provider place in sterile screw-capped container with 1-2 mL of sterile saline or multi-microbe medium. Note: Tissues are resulted with a disclaimer.
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Specimen must be processed in a clean environment in which contamination of the specimen by HSV DNA is not likely. Send specimen refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile vial. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Improperly labeled or unlabeled specimen. Unacceptable specimen type. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the physician or nursing station will be notified and another specimen will be requested before the specimen is discarded.
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Negative
Positive results are reported as herpes simplex type 1 (or 2) DNA detected. Note: Both HSV types are tested wit each request, but are only reported if positive.
Note: Detection of HSV DNA in clinical specimens supports the clinical diagnosis of infection due to the virus. The lower limit of detection of LightCycler PCR is <10 genomic copies of HSV DNA per specimen. HSV DNA is not detected in cSF from patients without CNS disease caused by the virus.
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Significant Finding:
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Positive in CSF or eye
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Limitations:
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A negative result does not eliminate the possibility of HSV infection. HSV DNA may not be detectable in the early acute stages of the CNS disease. In addition, in some cases, after initial detection (positive result),HSV DNA may be present in CSF specimens for 3-4 weeks after initial presentation of symptoms. DNA levels may fall to undetectable levels with time.
Specimens grossly contaminated with blood may inhibit the PCR and produce false-negative results. The high sensitivity of amplification by PCR requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by HSV DNA is not likely.
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Methodology:
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Contraindications:
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N/A
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References:
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Mayo Medical Laboratories Web Page January 2010
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Updates:
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12/15/2009: MML no longer will accept swab specimens submitted in transport medium. Specimens added for Tissue.
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