HHV-8 Quantitative Real-time PCR

Test Code: 8000

Some specimen types for this assay are reported as qualitative results; please see our Specimen Information section below for more information.

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Clinical and Procedure
Clinical Utility

HHV-8 is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). Numerous studies have documented a higher risk of developing KS among HIV patients, organ transplant patients, and other immunocompromised individuals. Quantitative HHV-8 DNA PCR can be used to document the presence of the virus as well as track the course of infection.

Procedure

Extraction of HHV-8 viral DNA from specimen followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR. An internal control is added to ensure the extraction was performed correctly and the PCR reaction was not inhibited. This test has not been cleared or approved for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Specificity

The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for known strains of HHV-8 based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected when tested against adenoviruses, BKV, CMV, EBV, HSV-1, HSV-2, HHV-6 variant A, HHV-6 variant B, HHV-7, JCV, parvovirus B19, SV-40, and VZV.

Turnaround Time

Same day (within 8 - 12 hours from receipt of specimen), Monday through Saturday, with the exception of Tissue specimens. Tissue specimens are expected to report within 18-24 hours from receipt of specimen, Monday-Saturday.

Specimen Information
Specimen Type Test Code CPT Code NY Approved Volume Assay Range Special Instructions
CSF 8003 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

94 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Quant] 8005 87799 Yes 5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size) 8 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Place fresh tissue in a sterile, screw top container.
  • Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
  • Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Qual] 8006 87798 Yes 5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size) Detected/Not Detected
  • Place fresh tissue in a sterile, screw top container.
  • The preferred handling is to not add water, saline or other fluid media to the tissue container; however, fluid media filled containers will be accepted for qualitative results.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
  • Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
fecal 8008 87798 No Size of pea, or 2 mL liquid stool Detected/Not Detected
  • Collect and place in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
BAL 8009 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

107 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
whole blood 8016 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

63 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in EDTA tube.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
trach asp 8019 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

107 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
bronch wash 8026 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

107 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
trach wash 8048 87799 Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

107 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
Shipping

Ship Monday through Friday. Friday shipments must be labeled for Saturday delivery. All specimens must be labeled with patient's name and collection date. A Viracor Eurofins test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Viracor Eurofins, 18000 W 99th St. Ste, #10, Lenexa, KS 66219

Causes for Rejection

Specimens beyond their acceptable length of time from collection as listed in the specimen handling, specimens received in trap containers, or specimen types other than those listed.

Disclaimer

Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Information field above.

The CPT codes provided are based on Viracor Eurofins' interpretation of the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and are provided for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Questions regarding coding should be addressed to your local Medicare carrier. Viracor Eurofins assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.

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