Test Detail
Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1, 2 and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) PCR
Back to Test Directory| Test Description |
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| Nucleic acid amplification by PCR to detect human Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). | |||||
| Panel Components | |||||
| Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1), Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2), Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) | |||||
| Performed | Avg. Turnaround Time | Method | |||
| Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F |
1 - 3 business days | Nucleic Acid Amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | |||
| Fee | CPT Code(s) | ||||
| $129.60 | 87529 x 2, 87798 | ||||
| Specimen Requirements | |||||
| Specimen Type: | Lesion swab; Vesicle fluid sample; Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 200µl minimum volume; Ocular swab. PCR is a very sensitive test, and precautions should be taken to not cross-contaminate specimens (i.e., wear gloves and change before and after collecting specimen. Avoid contact with environmental surfaces). DO NOT FREEZE SPECIMEN. | ||||
| Collection Instructions: | Other than Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), collect specimen using a SHL Virus Isolation and Detection Kit (contains M4-RT viral transport medium and swabs) or equivalent viral transport medium. Specimens should be collected within three days of onset of symptoms. Use of rayon, synthetic polyester fiber-tipped, or flocked swabs is recommended. Do not use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts. Specimen should be immediately placed into viral transport medium. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Collect and ship sterile container. |
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| Shipping: | |||||
| Specimens should be stored and shipped under the same conditions. Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Transport specimen with cold pack. Ship to the Coralville location. | |||||
| Temperature and Stability: | Refrigerated (2-8°C); Overnight. | ||||
| Rejection Criteria: |
Specimens will be rejected if received under these conditions: Samples obtained on cotton-tipped, wooden-shafted or calcium alginate swabs. Samples not received in the correct temperature range of 2-8°C will be rejected. |
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| Expected Results: | |||||
| Not Detected, Detected, Invalid | |||||
| Comments | |||||
| Presence of Herpes Simplex virus DNA indicates likely infection by HSV. Presence of Varicella Zoster virus DNA indicates likely infection by VZV. This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the State Hygienic Laboratory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved or cleared this test; however, FDA clearance or approval is not currently required for clinical use. The results are not intended to be used as the sole means for clinical diagnosis or patient management decisions. Tests of Public Health Significance (TOPHS): All tests submitted to SHL at no charge as Tests of Public Health Significance (TOPHS) must come from State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-approved test sites, such as Community-Based Screening Services (CBSS) and Integrated Testing Services (ITS) sites. To qualify as TOPHS testing individuals must must meet the following criterion. Only one criterion applies for Herpes PCR testing. 1. Clinical signs of anogenital herpes (lesions present on or around genital region). NOTE: There are multiple herpes tests available at SHL. The one offered as a TOPHS can only be used when someone has an active outbreak and is presenting with anogenital lesions. Also, this PCR test detects Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 and 2 and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). Although the test is capable of detecting VZV, the purpose of this TOPHS test is to detect HSV and it should only be ordered when HSV is suspected. | |||||
| Alternate Names | |||||
| HSV/VZV PCR | |||||
