Test Code VILO Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Viral Load

Important Note

Please see the HIV testing algorithm to the left, under 'Resources'.

Additional Codes

HIV-1
HIV viral load
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV-1 PCR
HIV-1 Quantitation, PCR
HIV-1 RNA

Specimen and Container/Tube

Blood

Lavender-top vacutainer (EDTA) tube

Volume

Preferred Volume

Adult: 10 mL

Newborn: Obtain a minimum of 3.0 mL of newborn whole blood via venipuncture into a lavender top vacutainer (EDTA) tube. A microtainer tube does not hold a sufficient amount of blood. Cord blood and heel stick specimens cannot be used and are NOT approved for testing.

Specimen Minimum Volume

3 mL

Pediatric Volume

3 mL

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

See UCMC collection instructions.

Rejection Criteria

Random Collections ONLY.
NO preservatives or additives, or sample will be rejected.

Reference Values

No HIV-1 RNA detected.

Test Limitations

Detection limit is 20 IU/mL
Quantitation reportable range is 20 6,000,000 IU/mL.

Turnaround Time

Day(s) Performed

Monday – Friday

STAT DAY(S) AND TIME(S) PERFORMED

Not Available

Test Components

HIV-1 RNA quantification

Methodology

Testing is performed using FDA-approved real-time PCR assays from Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., on the Roche cobas 6800 Instrument.

CPT Codes

87536

Additional Information

Test Limitations

Detection limit is 20 IU/mL
Quantitation reportable range is 20 6,000,000 IU/mL.

Collection Instructions

Offsite Collection Instructions

See UCMC collection instructions.

UCMC Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Venipunctur

Specimen Processing: Spin down sample, remove plasma from cells and freeze in -20C within 24 hours of collection.

Specimen Transport: Immediate, no refrigeration.

Microbiology Specimen Collection Tables
Please see link for Microbiology Specimen Collection Tables;

Category “Blood”, Table 1 BACTERIOLOGY, CHLAMYDIA, MYCOLOGY, MYCOBACTERIOLOGY (AFB), VIROLOGY

Critical Values

All positive culture

All

LOINC Codes

30687536

Synonyms/Search Keywords