8 hours
Test Updated:
HIV Type 1 p24 Antigen Replacement Assay
HIV Viral Load, Ultrasensitive
Viral Load, HIV Type 1 RNA, Ultrasensitive
HIV Viral Load
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA by PCR
Viral Load, HIV Type 1 RNA
QHIV
UHIV
HIV-1 QUANTITATIVE RNA ASSAY
HIV-1 ULTRA-QUANT. RNA ASSAY
PHIV
HIV-1 Proviral DNA, Blood
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Test Overview
Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification (RT-PCR)
The HIV Type 1 RNA PCR test is intended for use only in individuals with documented HIV-1 infection and is not to be used for the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection. Viral load may be useful adjunct to other laboratory tests for following the disease progression in patients with HIV. Monitoring of viral load may also be helpful in making or altering treatment regimens in HIV infected patients.
Not Detected. A result of "Not Detected" does not rule out the presence of HIV-1 RNA. A positive result indicates the presence of viral RNA, reported as the number of HIV-1 RNA copies/mL of plasma. The linear range of this assay is 40 -10,000,000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (Log10: 1.6 - 7.0).
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in lavender top (EDTA) tube. Centrifuge for 20 minutes at 800 - 1600 x g at room temperature and aliquot plasma into a polypropylene plastic vial within 6 hours of collection. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage. Do not allow frozen specimens to thaw at any time during storage or transport due to possible degradation of RNA. Specimens submitted in polystyrene tubes are not acceptable. Specimens sent for Microbiology molecular testing require a dedicated sample and cannot be shared with other laboratories.
