Test Overview
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Detection of Herpes simplex virus in lesion specimens.
Not detected
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
This assay is to be used only for patients with a clinical history and symptoms consistent with HSV infection and must be interpreted in the context of the clinical picture. This test should not be used to screen asymptomatic patients. Optimal performance of the test requires adequate specimen collection, transport and handling. HSV viability and/or infectivity cannot be inferred from a positive test result since target DNA may persist in the absence of infectious virus. A negative test does not rule out infection. There is a risk of false negative results due to the presence of sequence variants in the targets of the assay.
Test Details
3 hours
- HSV 1 DNA Amplification
- HSV 2 DNA Amplification
- Herpes simplex virus Type 1 DNA
- Herpes simplex virus Type 2 DNA
- Herpes simplex virus, Amplified DNA
- HSV-1 and HSV-2 PCR
- Herpes simplex DNA, Types 1 & 2, Qualitative
Specimen Requirements
Collect swab specimen of anogenital, skin or oral mucosa lesion using dacron or rayon swab with an aluminum or plastic shaft; do not use swab with calcium alginate tip or wooden shaft. Flocked swab supplied with M4 transport may be used. Place swab into M4 transport medium (preferred). M5, M6, UVT, UTM media and Eswab are also acceptable. BD ProbeTec Qx transport is not acceptable. Refrigerate.