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Test Code HIVQ HIV-1 RNA Detection and Quantitation, Plasma

Important Note

Specimen Volume: This test requires a FULL EDTA tube to obtain 1.5 mL plasma required for testing.

Infectious

Additional Codes

EPIC CODE: LAB3650

Specimen Required

Supplies: Aliquot Tube, 4 mL

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender-top (EDTA plasma)

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube and pour off plasma into aliquot tube.

2. Whole blood can be stored at 2-30 C but must be centrifuged within 24 hours of specimen collection. 

3. Place in Microbiology HIVQ rack

Additional Information:

1.  Molecular Viral Load testing must have its own tube.

2. To avoid co-mingling and cross contamination:  If specimen is to be shared with antoher department, the molecular testing must take an aliquot of the specimen first or perform their testing prior to routing to additional testing departments.

Useful For

Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in individuals with acute or early HIV-1 infection

 

Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants under 18 months of age born to mothers living with HIV-1

 

Quantifying plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (viral load) in individuals living with HIV-1:

-Before initiating anti-HIV-1 drug therapy (baseline viral load)

-Who may have developed HIV-1 drug resistance while on anti-HIV-1 therapy

-Who may be noncompliant with anti-HIV-1 drug therapy

 

Monitoring HIV-1 disease progression before or during antiretroviral drug therapy

Method Name

Real-Time Transcription-mediated amplification-TMA (RT-PCR)

Hologic Genprobe Aptima HIV Quant Dx Assay

Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma EDTA Frozen (preferred) 90 days
  Refrigerated 

5 days

Rejection Due To

Gross hemolysis

OK

Gross lipemia

OK

Gross icterus

OK

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.8 mL

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Friday

Reference Values

Undetected

LOINC Code Information

20447-9

CPT Code Information

87536