Test Overview
Test Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Test Usage

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are well known etiologic agents of gingivostomatitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, herpetic whitlow, and genital infections as well as encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, atypical pneumonias and a wide variety of other clinical conditions. Quantitative HSV DNA PCR is the ideal diagnostic tool for CNS specimens, since HSV will rarely grow from CSF in cell culture. Quantitative PCR can be used to detect the presence of the virus as well as track the course of infections and response to treatment.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday - Saturday
Analytic Time

8 - 12 hours

Soft Order Code
VHSV
MiChart Code
HSV 1 / HSV 2 DNA QPCR
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Viracor-IBT Laboratories 8500
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection

Blood: Collect specimen in a lavender top (EDTA) tube. Send intact specimen at room temperature (4 - 5 mL). CSF: Send specimen frozen in a sterile tube (2 mL). The following specimen types are also acceptable: Bronchial Lavage (BAL) (2 mL in sterile tube, freeze) and Tissue (moistened with saline, in sterile cup, freeze).

Alternate Specimen
Acceptable specimen types (1/23/12): aqueous fluid, BAL, bronch wash, CSF, eye swab, genital swab, plasma, serum, skin swab, tissue, trach asp, trach wash, vitreous fluid.
Normal Volume
Blood: 5 mL EDTA whole blood; CSF: 2 mL
Additional Information

Test sent to Viracor Eurofins.

Billing
CPT Code
87530
Fee Code
36125
NY State Approved
No