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Test Code HIQNP HIV-1 RNA Detection and Quantification, Prenatal, Plasma


Ordering Guidance


For detection and quantification of HIV-1 RNA in plasma before and during antiretroviral therapy in pregnant individuals only. For nonpregnant individuals, order HIVQN / HIV-1 RNA Detection and Quantification, Plasma.



Shipping Instructions


Ship specimen frozen on dry ice. If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze plasma specimen at -20 to -80° C until shipment



Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube and aliquot plasma into plastic vial per collection tube manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).

2. Freeze aliquoted plasma for shipment.


Useful For

Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in pregnant individuals with acute or early HIV-1 infection

 

Quantifying plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (viral load) in pregnant individuals living with HIV-1:

-Before initiating anti-HIV-1 drug therapy (baseline viral load)

-Who may have developed HIV-1 drug resistance while on anti-HIV-1 therapy

-Who may be noncompliant with anti-HIV-1 drug therapy

 

Monitoring HIV-1 disease progression before or during antiretroviral drug therapy in pregnant individuals

Method Name

Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Reporting Name

HIV-1 RNA Detect/Quant Prenatal, P

Specimen Type

Plasma EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.8 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma EDTA Frozen (preferred) 84 days
  Refrigerated  6 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Clinical Information

Currently, 2 types of HIV, HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV type 2 (HIV-2), are known to infect humans. HIV-1 has been isolated from patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, and from asymptomatic infected individuals at high-risk for AIDS. Accounting for more than 99% of HIV infection in the world, HIV-1 is transmitted by sexual contact, by exposure to infected blood or blood products, from an infected pregnant woman to fetus in utero or during birth, or from an infected mother to infant via breast-feeding. HIV-2 has been isolated from infected patients in West Africa and it appears to be endemic only in that region. However, HIV-2 also has been identified in individuals who have lived in West Africa or had sexual relations with individuals from that geographic region. HIV-2 is similar to HIV-1 in its morphology, overall genomic structure, and ability to cause AIDS.

 

Multiple clinical studies of plasma HIV-1 viral load (expressed as HIV-1 RNA copies/mL of plasma) have shown a clear relationship of HIV-1 RNA copy number to stage of HIV-1 disease and efficacy of anti-HIV-1 therapy. Quantitative HIV-1 RNA level in plasma (ie, HIV-1 viral load) is an important surrogate marker in assessing the risk of disease progression and monitoring response to anti-HIV-1 drug therapy in the routine medical care of HIV-1-infected patients.

Reference Values

Undetected

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. 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

87536

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.