Medicare Medical Necessity Restrictions May Apply
Specimen Requirements:
4.0 mL Plasma from a Lavender Top Tubes - EDTA in a Plastic Vial
Collection Instructions:
Centrifuge and remove from cells within 24 hours of collection
Minimum Volume:
2.0 mL Plasma
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability:
24 hours Ambient
6 hours Refrigerated
42 days Frozen
Transport Frozen
Rejection Criteria:
Whole blood greater than 24 hours old • Frozen whole blood
Reference Range:
| HIV-1 RNA, QN, PCR |
<20 copies/mL |
| HIV-1 RNA, QN, PCR |
<1.30 Log copies/mL |
| HIV-1 Genotype |
See Laboratory Report |
Test Comments:
If the results of the HIV-1 RNA Quantitative are greater than or equal to 2000 copies/mL, Test Code 15459X, HIV-1 Genotyping, PR and RT, DNA Sequencing, will be added at an additional charged
Methodology:
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Clinical Significance:
Measurement of HIV-1 plasma levels (viral load) provides a direct assessment of viremia and should be used in conjunction with CD4+ T-cell counts. HIV-1 RNA, quantitation is useful in patients to assess prognosis, monitor progression of HIV-1 infection, determine when to initiate therapy, and monitor the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy.
Documentation:
Limitations: An infection is often composed of a variety of strains of the virus. The test may identify only the predominant type of virus thus leaving the minority viruses to thrive once the predominant type is treated. Lack of resistance may not confer susceptibilities.
Custom Panel:
No
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Turn Around Time:
1 to 2 days
Days Performed:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Sites Performed:
Quest - Chantilly
PHL Test Code:
MSOT
EPIC Test Code:
Send Out Test Code:
88443
Alternate Test Names:
HIV-1 Viral Load with Reflex
CPT Coding:
87536 (Reflex 87901, 87900)