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Test Code HIVVL HIV Viral Load by PCR

Important Note

Tube must be inverted 10 times at time of collection due to fibrin interferance.

Transport on dry ice if not collected at Memorial

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital-Virology Laboratory              304-388-9618

Specimen Requirements

Plasma-EDTA, Lavender Top Tube

Draw 2 full 4 ml (minimum 1.2 mL plasma-this does not allow for repeat) 

Centrifuge and freeze plasma as soon as possible after removing from cells   

Specimen Rejection

  • Failure to follow laboratory specimen collection, labeling, transport or storage policies.
  • Serum subject to repeat freeze thaw cycles.

Storage and Stability

EDTA tubes may be refrigerated up to 24 hours prior to removing plasma.

Plasma should be removed from cells and frozen as soon as possible after centrifugation.

Reference Values

Volume Result Interpretation
1.0 mL

Not detected

<1.60 Log [<40 Copies/mL]a 

1.60 to 7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

>7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

Target not detected

Detected

 

>ULQd=upper limit of quantitation
0.6 mL

Not detected

<1.60 Log [<40 Copies/mL]a 

1.60 to 7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

>7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

Target not detected

Detected

 

>ULQ
0.5mL

Not detected

<1.88 Log [copes mL]b 

1.88 to 7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

>7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

Target not detected

Detected

 

>ULQ
>0.2 mL

Not detected

<2.18 Log [Copies/mL]c

2.18 to 7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

>7.00 Log [Copies/mL]

Target not detected

Detected

 

>ULQ

a 40 Copies/mL

b 75 Copies/mL

c 150 Copies/mL

d ULQ=upper limit of quantitation

Methodology

RT-PCR

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Test performed at least weekly, usually Fridays

Results available same day as testing

CPT Coding

87536