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HelpTEST ID HIVQN HIV-1 RNA Detection and Quantification, Plasma
Reporting Name
HIV-1 RNA Detect/Quant, PSpecimen Type
Plasma EDTAShipping Instructions
1. Ship specimen frozen on dry ice.
2. If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze plasma specimen at -20 to -80° C before shipment and then transport on dry ice.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL Plasma
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Plasma: 0.8 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma EDTA | Frozen (preferred) | 84 days |
| Refrigerated | 6 days |
Special Instructions
Testing Algorithm
The following algorithms are available:
-HIV Prenatal Testing Algorithm, Including Follow-up of Reactive Rapid Serologic Test Results
-HIV Treatment Monitoring Algorithm
Method Name
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Undetected
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
60 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
87536
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Useful For
Quantifying plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (viral load) in individuals living with HIV-1:
-Before initiating antiretroviral therapy to obtain baseline viral load
-Who may have developed HIV-1 drug resistance while on antiretroviral therapy
-Who may be noncompliant with antiretroviral therapy
Monitoring HIV-1 disease progression before or during antiretroviral drug therapy
Clinical Information
Currently, 2 types of HIV, HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV type 2 (HIV-2), are known to infect humans. HIV-1 has been isolated from patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, and from asymptomatic infected individuals at high-risk for AIDS. Accounting for more than 99% of HIV infection in the world, HIV-1 is transmitted by sexual contact, by exposure to infected blood or blood products, from an infected pregnant woman to fetus in utero or during birth, or from an infected mother to infant via breast-feeding. HIV-2 has been isolated from infected patients in West Africa, and it appears to be endemic only in that region. However, HIV-2 also has been identified in individuals who have lived in West Africa or had sexual relations with individuals from that geographic region. HIV-2 is similar to HIV-1 in its morphology, overall genomic structure, and ability to cause AIDS.
Multiple clinical studies of plasma HIV-1 viral load (expressed as HIV-1 RNA copies/mL of plasma) have shown a clear relationship of HIV-1 RNA copy number to stage of HIV-1 disease and efficacy of anti-HIV-1 therapy. Quantitative HIV-1 RNA level in plasma (ie, HIV-1 viral load) is an important surrogate marker in assessing the risk of disease progression and monitoring response to anti-HIV-1 drug therapy in the routine medical care of individuals living with HIV-1.
HIV serologic tests may be unreliable for infants born to HIV-infected mothers. In infants up to 2 years, positive serologic test results can be due to the presence of maternal HIV antibodies. Therefore, the US Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children recommends the use of HIV RNA or proviral DNA tests for the detection of HIV infection in infants born to HIV-infected mothers.