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Test Code HSVG Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1- and Type 2-Specific Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Reporting Name

HSV Types 1 and 2 Ab, IgG, S

Useful For

Determining whether a patient has been previously exposed to herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2

 

Distinguishing between infection caused by HSV types 1 and 2, especially in patients with subclinical or unrecognized HSV infection

 

This test should not be used to diagnose active or recent infection.

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
HS1G HSV Type 1 Ab, IgG, S No Yes
HS2G HSV Type 2 Ab, IgG, S No Yes

Method Name

Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

CPT Code Information

86695

86696

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HSVG HSV Types 1 and 2 Ab, IgG, S 81621-5

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
HS1G HSV Type 1 Ab, IgG, S 51916-5
HS2G HSV Type 2 Ab, IgG, S 43180-9

Clinical Information

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 are members of the Herpesviridae family and produce infections that range from mild stomatitis to disseminated and fatal disease. Clinical conditions associated with HSV infection include gingivostomatitis, keratitis, encephalitis, vesicular skin eruptions, aseptic meningitis, neonatal herpes, genital tract infections, and disseminated primary infection.

 

Infections with HSV types 1 and 2 can differ significantly in their clinical manifestations and severity. HSV type 2 primarily causes urogenital infections and is found almost exclusively in adults. HSV type 1 is closely associated with orolabial infection, although genital infection with this virus can be common in certain populations.

 

The diagnosis of HSV infections is routinely made based on clinical findings and supported by laboratory testing, primarily using polymerase chain reaction to detect viral DNA. However, in instances of subclinical or unrecognized HSV infection, serologic testing for IgG-class antibodies to type-specific HSV glycoprotein G may be useful. There are several circumstances where it may be important to distinguish between infection caused by HSV types 1 and 2 (eg, risk of reactivation). In addition, the results of HSV type-specific IgG testing are sometimes used during pregnancy to identify risks of congenital HSV disease and allow for focused counseling prior to delivery.

Interpretation

This assay detects IgG-class antibodies to type-specific herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein G and may allow for the differentiation of infection caused by HSV types 1 and 2. The presence of IgG-class antibodies to HSV types 1 or 2 indicates previous exposure, and does not necessarily indicate that HSV is the causative agent of an acute illness.

Cautions

Detection of IgG-class antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) should not be used routinely as the primary means of diagnosing HSV infection. For patients presenting with presumed acute infection with HSV, a clinical specimen (eg, oral, dermal, or genital lesion) should be sampled and submitted for detection of HSV types 1 and 2 by polymerase chain reaction.

 

Serum specimens collected too early in the course of infection may not have detectable levels of HSV IgG. In cases of suspected early disease, a repeat serum specimen should be collected 14 to 21 days later and submitted for testing.

 

The presence of IgG-class antibodies to either HSV type 1 or 2 does not differentiate between remote infection or acute disease.

 

HSV serology cannot distinguish genital from nongenital infections.

 

The predictive value of positive or negative results depends on the prevalence of disease and the pretest likelihood of HSV-1 and HSV-2.

 

False-positive results may occur. Repeat testing, or testing by a different method, may be indicated in some settings (eg, patients with low likelihood of HSV infection).

Method Description

BioPlex 2200 Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 Kit uses multiplex flow immunoassay technology. Two different populations of dyed beads are each coated with glycoprotein G -based antigens associated with HSV types 1 or 2. Patient sample is combined with sample diluent and bead set reagent in a reaction vessel. The mixture is incubated at 37° C. After a wash cycle, antihuman IgG antibody conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) is added to the mixture and incubated at 37° C. Excess conjugate is removed in another wash cycle, and the beads are resuspended in wash buffer. The bead mixture then passes through a detector where the identity of the dyed beads is determined by the fluorescence of the dyes, and the amount of antibody captured by the antigen is determined by the fluorescence of the attached PE. Raw data is calculated in relative fluorescence intensity. Three additional dyed beads, an internal standard bead, a serum verification bead, and a reagent blank bead are present in each reaction mixture to verify detector response, the addition of serum to the reaction vessel, and the absence of significant nonspecific binding in serum.(Package insert: BioPlex 2200 System HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG. Bio-Rad Laboratories; Version 665-0533C_EN, 04/2019)

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.