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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS, TYPE 1 AND 2 DNA, QL REAL TIME PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4089    Geisinger Epic ID:  168323

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

SSerum, whole blood, plasma, pleural fluid, amniotic fluid or pericardial fluid, vitreous fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial wash, or APTIMA® Unisex Collection device


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Sterile screw-cap tube
Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit
6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tube
3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL (minimum 0.3 mL) Serum, whole blood, EDTA plasma, CSF, pleural fluid, amniotic fluid or pericardial fluid. 1 mL (minimum 0.35 mL) vitreous fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial wash. 1 swab in APTIMA kit



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

APTIMA® Unisex Collection device only: Room temperature: 14 days, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 30 days, All other container types: Room temperature: 48 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 30 days (whole blood unacceptable).


Rejection criteria: 

Frozen whole blood unacceptable.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  87529 x2
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

HSV 1 DNA, HSV 2 DNA


Methodology: 
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 34257


Clinical significance: 

DNA testing is analytically more sensitive than culture, especially in patients with encephalitis or meningitis. DNA testing may be useful in diagnosis of infection in neonates. Neonates who have been exposed to HSV can develop disseminated infection and encephalitis. Encephalitis is usually due to HSV I whereas meningitis is usually due to HSV II. DNA testing provides reliable means to define the type.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  04/10/2026

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