Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 Qualitative

Test Code
HSV1, HSV2
Test Synonyms
HSV
Methodology
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
CPT Codes
87529 each type - Herpes simplex virus, amplified probe technique
Turnaround Time
2 days
Specimen Requirements
  • HSV lesion MPLN path. collection kit
  • 2.0 mL whole blood EDTA
  • 5 mm^3 fresh or frozen tissue
  • Swab from any site MPLN pathogen collection kit or viral transport media
  • 2.0 mL (min. 1.0 mL) CSF sterile container, DO NOT DILUTE
  • 2.0 mL (min. 1.0 mL) Cervical cells, ThinPrep® PAP solution or SurePath™ Test Pack solution
  • 1.0 mL amniotic fluid, sterile container, unspun
Specimen Stability
  • MPLN pathology collection kit, 18-25°C, ambient
  • Whole blood, 4°C, stable 96 hours
  • Fresh tissue, 4°C, stable 96 hours
  • Frozen tissue, -20°C, freeze immediately
  • Swab from any site, 4°C, stable 96 hours
  • CSF, 4°C, stable 72 hours
  • CSF, -20°C, freeze within 4 hours
  • Cervical cells, 18-25°C, stable 21 days
  • 1 mL amniotic fluid, 18-25°C, stable 48 hours
Storage & Handling
  • MPLN pathology collection kit, ship ambient
  • Whole blood, ship with ice pack. Separate ice pack from specimen
  • Fresh Tissue, MPLN transport medium or equivalent (i.e. RPMI, Hanks, M4 media), ship with ice pack. Separate ice pack from specimen
  • Frozen tissue, MPLN transport medium or equivalent (i.e. RPMI, Hanks, M4 media), ship with dry ice
  • Swab from any site MPLN pathogen collection kit or viral transport media, ship with ice pack. Separate from specimen
  • CSF fresh, sterile container, do not dilute, ice pack Refrigerated CSF MUST be shipped within 24 hours of collection
  • CSF frozen, sterile container, do not dilute, freeze within 4 hours, ship on dry ice
  • Cervical cells, ThinPrep PAP solution or SurePath Test Pack solution, ship ambient
  • Amniotic fluid, sterile container, unspun, ship ambient
Causes for Rejection
Improper anticoagulant; Improper shipping media; Recommended temperatures exceeded; Age of specimen exceeded
Reference Range
Negative: HSV DNA not detected (< 10 copies/mL)
Positive: HSV DNA detected (>/= 10 copies/mL)
Description
Intended for use to assist in the confirmation of a diagnosis of a HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 infection.
References
  1. Salvaggio MR (2009). Herpes Simplex.Medscape.
  2. Kriebs JM. (2008). Understanding herpes simplex virus: Transmission, diagnosis, and considerations in pregnancy management. J Midwifery Womens Health. 53:202–208.
Trademarks
ThinPrep is a registered trademark of Cytyc Corportation.
SurePath is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company.

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