| Test: | Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 & 2, DNA Detection and Genotype, Blood or Other Specimens Order in NUlirt or complete NPHL Test Order Form |
| Synonym: | HAA; HBsAg; Hepatitis Associated Antigen |
| Method: | Real-time DNA Amplification. |
| Availability: | Monday - Friday, Results in 24 hours. |
| Specimen: | Blood |
| Collection Device: | Adult Collection: One 5ml Plasma Preparation tube (PPT, White) tube. One 5ml EDTA (Lavender) tube is also acceptable. Collect specimen and process using sterile technique. For PPT tubes, plasma spin within 6h of collection and then refrigerate. For EDTA lavender tubes, take plasma off cells within 48h and then refrigerate. Call Molecular Virology at 402-559-7744 with any questions. Bone marrow in EDTA, bronchial wash/bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)/sputum, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), tissue (fixed or snap frozen), and body fluid. Collect tissue and process using sterile technique, (sterile blades, and containers). Pediatric Collection: One 5mL PPT (white) tube (Minimum 2 mL) One 5mL EDTA (Lavender) tube. (minimum 2mL) 1mL plasma. (minimum 0.5ml plasma) Specimen Labeling: Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires 2 patient identifiers and specimen source on container. |
| Volume: | Adult collection: 1mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum) |
| Storage/Transport: | Prior to and during shipment: Refrigerate 2-8°C. If sample is not transported to lab the same day as collected; aliquot the serum or plasma. To aliquot: Centrifuge the sample and transfer into a clean tube and label as "serum" or "plasma." |
| Unacceptable: | Swabs: Calcium alginate or wooden shaft tips are not recommended as they may be inhibitory to DNA Amplification. Nasopharyngeal swabs are not acceptable. Swabs transported in Saline at ambient temperature. For Swab samples, please order HSV DNA direct detection, Swab. |
| Specimen Stability: | After separation from cells: Ambient: <8h; Refrigerated: 7d; For longer storage, freeze at -20º Celsius. (avoid more than 2 freeze/thaw cycles) |
| Reference Interval: | Negative, HSV-1 DNA not detected (<100 copy/mL) Negative, HSV-2 DNA not detected (<500 copy/mL) |
| Reportable Disease: | Immediately report positive Hepatitis B results to local or state health department. Refer to Nebraska DHHS Title 173, Communicable Diseases. |
| Comments: | Pre-approval needed from state or local health department. Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444. Herpes Simplex viruses (HSV) 1 and 2 are double stranded DNA viruses of the Herpesviridae family, sharing over half of the same genome. Herpes viruses may cause a wide range of diseases in neonates and immuno-compromised patients. HSV-1 typically causes orofacial lesions, keratitis, pneumonia, or encephalitis. HSV-2 typically causes genital lesions or meningitis. Both can cause severe neonatal herpes disease when transmitted during childbirth1. The Real Time amplification enables the detection, differentiation, and reporting of HSV-1 and HSV-2 to be shortened, allowing for rapid turnaround time and diagnosis. This method integrates fluorogenic DNA amplification with Real-Time PCR based detection to detect specific PCR amplicons using scorpion primers specific for HSV-1 and HSV-2. This real-time test targets the DNA polymerase gene for HSV-1 and HSV- 2. Primers are ASR, precise nucleic acid sequence information is not provided by the manufacturer. NUlirt packing list or NPHL Test Order Form (completed in entirety) must accompany the specimen. |
| Revised: | 6/11/2021 |