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Test Code LAB919 HIV-1 RNA Detection and Quantification

Performing Laboratory

BJH Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type:  Plasma

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender or pink top (EDTA)

Specimen Minimum Volume:  Minimum of 2 mL of whole blood in a dedicated lavender or pink top (EDTA) tube.

 

**Facilities outside of BJH should submit a minimum of 1 mL of plasma.

 

Collection Instructions:

  1. Spin down and separate plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection.
  2. Plasma should be stored at 2-8°C or -20°C upon separation.  Please see Specimen Stability Information for additional details.   

Specimen Stability Information

Plasma specimens may be stored under the following conditions:

Prior to separation:

  • Room temperature for up to 24 hours

Following separation of plasma from whole blood:

  • 2 to 8°C for up to 6 days
  • -20°C to -80°C for up to 12 weeks

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Friday

Turnaround Time:
STAT: Director approval required
Routine: 2 to 3 business days

Test Classification and CPT Code

This assay is FDA cleared for quantitative HIV-1 RNA testing on plasma and its performance has been evaluated by the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory.

 

CPT: 87536

Methodology

Testing is performed by real-time PCR on the cobas® 6800 platform using the cobas® HIV-1 Assay (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.).   

Additional Information

Assay Limit of Detection

20 copies/mL

Assay Quantitative Range

20 copies/mL - 10,000,000 copies/mL.

 

For BJH Laboratory Use Only

Laboratory Processing Instructions:

 

Specimens should be delivered to the BJH MID laboratory. Specimen is stored frozen at the BJH MID lab for 21 days.

Reference Values

Not Detected.

Specimen Transport Instructions

Whole blood specimens should be delivered to the BJH MID laboratory within 24 hours of collection for processing.