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Order Code HSVC Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Spinal Fluid

Useful For

Aiding in the rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 infections of the central nervous system

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Reporting Name

Herpes Simplex Virus, PCR, CSF

Specimen Type

CSF


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit from second spinal fluid collection vial.

2. Transfer into aliquot vial using sterile technique.

3. Do not centrifuge or heat inactivate.

Additional Information:

1. The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by herpes simplex virus DNA is not likely.

2. Specimens that are received with less than the minimum volume required for all testing requested will be canceled.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
CSF Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reject Due To

Heat-treated spinal fluid Reject

Reference Values

Negative

Method Description

The Simplexa HSV (herpes simplex virus)-1 and -2 Direct assay system is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that enables the direct amplification, detection, and differentiation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA from unprocessed spinal fluid specimens without nucleic acid extraction.

 

In this assay, bifunctional fluorescent probe primers are used together with corresponding reverse primers to amplify HSV-1, HSV-2, and internal control targets. Well-conserved regions of the HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA polymerase genes are targeted to identify HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA, respectively, in the specimen. An internal control is used to detect PCR failure or inhibition.(Binnicker MJ, Espy MJ, Irish CL. Rapid and direct detection of herpes simplex virus in cerebrospinal fluid using a commercial real-time PCR assay. J Clin Microbiol. 2014;52(12):4361-4362; Package insert: Simplexa HSV 1 & 2 Direct. Diasorin; REF MOL2150. Rev 05. 09/05/2018)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

87529 x 2

87529 (if appropriate for government payers)

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.