Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2 (HSV-1 & HSV-2) Quantitative Real-time PCR

Test Code: 8500

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

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are well known etiologic agents of gingivostomatitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, herpetic whitlow, and genital infections as well as encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, atypical pneumonias and a wide variety of other clinical conditions. Quantitative HSV DNA PCR is the ideal diagnostic tool for CNS specimens, since HSV will rarely grow from CSF in cell culture. Quantitative PCR can be used to detect the presence of the virus as well as track the course of infections and response to treatment.

Procedure

Extraction of Herpes Simplex 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 HSV-1 and HSV-2 primers and probes used in this assay are specific for HSV-1 & 2 only and detect known HSV-1 & 2 strains based on similarity search algorithms. The individual primers and probes for HSV-1 and HSV-2 are unique and specific, with no cross reactivity between the HSV-1 and HSV-2 primers. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected when tested against adenoviruses, BKV, CMV, EBV, HHV-6 variant A, HHV-6 variant B, HHV-7, HHV-8, 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
plasma 8501 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 37 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 73 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect 4-5 mL whole blood in EDTA or ACD tube.
  • Avoid using gel separator tubes; samples collected in gel separator tubes have increased rate of PCR inhibition.
  • Centrifuge and transfer 2 mL plasma to sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient, refrigerated or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 7 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 45 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
CSF 8503 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 50 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 71 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
  • 3 days frozen.
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Quant] 8505 87530 (x2) Yes

5 mg fresh tissue (approximately ½ of a pencil eraser size)

HSV 1 is 3 copies/mg to 1x107 copies/mg.

HSV 2 is 12 copies/mg to 1x107 copies/mg.
  • 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.
  • 96 hours frozen.
  • Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
Fresh Frozen Tissue [Qual] 8506 87529 (x2) 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.
  • 96 hours frozen.
  • Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue will not be accepted.
BAL 8509 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 58 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 248 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.

 
serum 8510 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 37 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 73 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect 4-5 mL whole blood in red top tube.
  • Avoid using gel separator tubes; samples collected in gel separator tubes have increased rate of PCR inhibition.
  • Centrifuge and transfer 2 mL serum to sterile, screw top tube.
  • Can be shipped at ambient, refrigerated or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 7 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 45 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
vitreous fluid 8514 87530 (x2) Yes

0.25 mL (min. 0.05 mL)

HSV 1 is 2,176 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 748 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment.
  • Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container.
  • Do not ship specimen in syringe.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.
trach asp 8519 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 58 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 248 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Store and ship frozen on dry ice Monday through Friday.
mouth swab 8520 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
rectal swab 8521 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
NP swab 8525 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 4 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
bronch wash 8526 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 58 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 248 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

 

  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice for overnight delivery.

 
eye swab 8527 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 4 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
genital swab 8528 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 4 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
skin swab 8529 87529 (x2) Yes

2 mL

Detected/Not Detected
  • Place sterile swab placed in 2 mL sterile saline, M4, or viral transport media in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • Do not use calcium alginate swab or wood shafted swab.
  • Can be shipped at ambient or frozen temperature Monday through Friday.
  • 4 days ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Specimens shipped at ambient temperature must be received within 96 hrs. of collection.
aqueous fluid 8545 87530 (x2) Yes

0.25 mL (min. 0.05 mL)

HSV 1 is 2,176 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 748 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Transfer collected amount to sterile, screw top tube for shipment.
  • Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container.
  • Do not ship specimen in syringe.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice.
trach wash 8548 87530 (x2) Yes

2 mL (min. 0.5 mL)

HSV 1 is 58 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.

HSV 2 is 248 copies/mL to 1x108 copies/mL.
  • Collect in a sterile, screw top tube.
  • 48 hours ambient, 7 days refrigerated, 30 days frozen.
  • Store frozen and ship on dry ice Monday through Friday.
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 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 Rejection

Specimens 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.

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 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.

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