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Test Code HSVPB Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood


Ordering Guidance


If herpes simplex virus (HSV) is suspected in sources other than blood, order HSVPV / Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies.

 

If HSV is suspected in cerebrospinal fluid, order HSVC / Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Spinal Fluid.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Useful For

Aiding in the rapid diagnosis of disseminated disease due to herpes simplex virus (HSV)

 

Qualitative detection of HSV DNA

 

This test should not be used to screen asymptomatic patients.

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization

Reporting Name

Herpes Simplex Virus, PCR, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole Blood EDTA Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 cause a variety of clinical syndromes. Anatomic sites infected include the skin, lips, oral cavity, eyes, genital tract, and central nervous system. Systemic disease may also occur, in which the virus may be detectable in the bloodstream. The detection of HSV-1 or HSV-2 DNA from blood specimens may help support the diagnosis of disseminated disease associated with this virus.

Reference Values

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV)-1

Negative

 

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV)-2

Negative

Interpretation

This is a qualitative assay; results are reported either as negative or positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, HSV type 2, or HSV type indeterminate. Results can also be reported as invalid.

 

An indeterminate result means that HSV DNA was detected but the assay was unable to differentiate between HSV type 1 and HSV type 2. If typing is required, it is recommended that a new specimen be collected and tested by an alternate method.

 

An invalid result points to the inability to determine presence or absence of HSV-1 or HSV-2 DNA in the sample.

 

Detection of HSV DNA in clinical specimens supports the clinical diagnosis of infection due to the virus.

Cautions

This test is intended for patients with evidence of disseminated disease due to herpes simplex virus (HSV). For patients with localized (eg, skin, genital) disease, a swab of suspect lesions should be collected and submitted for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; HSVPV / Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies.

 

A negative result does not eliminate the possibility of HSV infection.

 

Although the reference value is typically "negative" for this assay, viral shedding may be detected in asymptomatic individuals. This assay is only to be used for patients with a clinical history and symptoms consistent with HSV infection and must be interpreted in the context of the clinical picture.

Method Description

Viral nucleic acid is extracted by the MagNA Pure 96 automated instrument (Roche Applied Science) from blood specimens. Primers directed to the DNA polymerase of herpes simplex virus (HSV) produce a 215-base pair amplicon. The LightCycler or LightCycler 480 instrument (Roche Applied Science), amplifies and monitors by fluorescence the development of target nucleic acid sequences after the annealing step during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycling. This is an automated PCR system that can rapidly detect (30-40 minutes) amplicon development through stringent air-controlled temperature cycling and capillary cuvettes or 96 well plate. The detection of amplified products is based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) principle. For FRET product detection, a hybridization probe with a donor fluorophore, fluorescein, on the 3'-end is excited by an external light source and emits light that is absorbed by a second hybridization probe with an acceptor fluorophore, LC-Red 640, at the 5'-end. The acceptor fluorophore then emits a light of a different wavelength that can be measured with a signal that is proportional to the amount of specific PCR product. LightCycler hybridization probes are designed for HSV-type 2 and sequence differences between HSV-type 2- and HSV-type 1 are detected by melting curve analysis. Melting curve analysis is performed following PCR amplification. Sequence differences between the PCR amplification and probe melting curves are accomplished through the use of LightCycler software.(Binnicker MJ, Espy MJ, Duresko B, Irish C, Mandrekar J. Automated processing, extraction and detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2: A comparative evaluation of three commercial platforms using clinical specimens. J Clin Virol. 2017;89:30-33)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 4 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87529 x 2

87529 (if appropriate for government payers)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HSVPB Herpes Simplex Virus, PCR, B 93440-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
618330 HSV 1 PCR, B 93439-8
618331 HSV 2 PCR, B 93438-0