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Test Directory

HIV-1 RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Summary

This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers of disease progress for the clinical management of HIV-1 infected patients. The test can be used to assess patient prognosis by measuring the baseline HIV-1 RNA level or to monitor the effects of antiretroviral therapy by measuring changes in EDTA plasma HIV-1 RNA levels during the course of antiretroviral treatment.

Aliases

  • N/A

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

3 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Do not freeze whole blood or any samples stored in primary tube. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be stored at 2-25°C for up to 24 hours prior to centrifugation separate plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection by centrifugation. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for collection tube handling.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature = Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated 6 days
  • Frozen 84 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in PPT (white-top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Received room temperature

Order Code

HIV1QT

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB5325

Includes

N/A

CPT Code

  • 87536

Billing Code

  • 670003

CPT Statement

Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

FDA Status

FDA Approved

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

HIV 1 RNA, QN PCR Not Detected copies/mL
HIV 1 RNA, QN PCR Not Detected Log copies/mL
This test was performed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Reportable Range: 20 copies/mL to 10,000,000 copies/mL (1.30 log copies/mL to 7.00 log copies/mL)

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

3 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Do not freeze whole blood or any samples stored in primary tube. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be stored at 2-25°C for up to 24 hours prior to centrifugation separate plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection by centrifugation. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for collection tube handling.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature = Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated 6 days
  • Frozen 84 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in PPT (white-top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Received room temperature

Billing

CPT Code

  • 87536

Billing Code

  • 670003

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

HIV 1 RNA, QN PCR Not Detected copies/mL
HIV 1 RNA, QN PCR Not Detected Log copies/mL
This test was performed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Reportable Range: 20 copies/mL to 10,000,000 copies/mL (1.30 log copies/mL to 7.00 log copies/mL)

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day