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

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.

Critical Values

All positive culture

All

Turnaround Time

Day(s) Performed

Monday – Friday

STAT DAY(S) AND TIME(S) PERFORMED

Not Available

CPT Codes

87536

LOINC Codes

30687536

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

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

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.

Synonyms/Search Keywords