HHV-6 Quantitative Real-time PCR
Some specimen types for this assay are reported as qualitative results; please see our Specimen Information section below for more information.
Quantitative HHV-6 DNA PCR can be used for early detection of a primary infection, for tracking the course of infection, and for monitoring response to treatment. Quantitative HHV-6 DNA PCR does not differentiate HHV-6 viremia from patients with chromosomally integrated HHV-6, a relatively uncommon congenital occurrence that has not been conclusively related to a disease state. Treatment of HHV-6 in immunocompromised patients presents challenges, including drug toxicity, delayed onset of disease after discontinuing therapy, and emergence of mutations that may affect the ability of diagnostic assays to detect them efficiently.
About HHV-6
HHV-6 reactivation can cause fever, rash, hepatitis, encephalitis, pneumonitis, delay or suppression of bone marrow engraftment and/or increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in bone marrow or solid organ transplant patients. Bone marrow suppression due to HHV-6 infection is often confused with rejection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients.
ProcedureExtraction of HHV-6 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.
SpecificityDetects both Type A and Type B in one assay. The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for known strains of HHV-6 based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected when tested against adenoviruses, BKV, CMV, EBV, HSV-1, HSV-2, HHV-7, HHV-8, JCV, parvovirus B19, SV-40, and VZV.
Same day (within 8 - 12 hours from receipt of specimen), Monday through Saturday, with the exception of Tissue and Bone Marrow specimens. Tissue and Bone Marrow specimens are expected to report within 18-24 hours from receipt of specimen, Monday-Saturday.
Specimen Type | Test Code | CPT Code | NY Approved | Volume | Assay Range | Special Instructions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plasma | 6501 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
188 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
CSF | 6503 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
81 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
bone marrow | 6504 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
183 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Quant] | 6505 | 87533 | Yes | 5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size) | 8 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Qual] | 6506 | 87798 | Yes | 5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size) | Detected/Not Detected |
|
fecal | 6508 | 87532 | Yes | Size of pea, or 2 mL liquid stool | Detected/Not Detected |
|
BAL | 6509 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
78 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
serum | 6510 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
188 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
whole blood | 6516 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
79 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
trach asp | 6519 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
78 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
bronch wash | 6526 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
78 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
trach wash | 6548 | 87533 | Yes | 2 mL (min. 0.5 mL) |
78 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL |
|
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 Eurofins Viracor test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Eurofins Viracor , 18000 W 99th St. Ste, #10, Lenexa, KS 66219
Causes for RejectionSpecimens beyond their acceptable length of time from collection as listed in the specimen handling, grossly hemolyzed plasma/serum specimens, specimens received in trap containers, or specimen types other than those listed.
Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Information field above.
The CPT codes provided are based on Eurofins Viracor's 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. Eurofins Viracor assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.