Herpes Simplex Virus Serology
Lab test instructions for Herpes Simplex Virus Serology
Diseases
- Oral herpetic lesions
- genital herpetic lesions
Organisms
- Herpes simplex virus type 1
- Herpes simplex virus type 2
Test Method
Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA)
- Per reagent manufacturer: “Type Specific IgG assay has not been established for use in the pediatrics population, for neonatal screening, or for testing immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients”.
- If the test is used in any of these populations, the results will include the above statement
Availability
- Routine testing
- Available for patients at least 22 years old
Specimen type
Serum
- Minimum volume required: 0.75mL
- Blood collected in a serum separator tube (SST) is recommended
Specimen collection instructions
- Collect the blood aseptically by venipuncture in SST and centrifuge from red blood cells within 2 hours.
- Store spun SST frozen at <-20°C to stage for shipping. Self-defrosting freezers are not recommended for sample storage.
- Indicate date shipped and date frozen on the Fairbanks Lab Request Form.
Storage and transport
Ship on dry ice or many frozen cold packs.
- Ambient temperature shipping is not recommended per reagent manufacturer guidelines.
- Refrigerated specimens are also not recommended due to manufacturer limitations on completing testing within 5 days (including transit time) if stored at 2-8°C.
- Samples received warm, grossly hemolyzed, highly lipemic or turbid, or collected in other collection devices may be rejected.
Ship to: Fairbanks Public Health Laboratory, ATTN: Clinical Virology
Results
- Negative: No IgG antibodies specific to HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 detected. Presumed not to have had previous HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 infection.
- Equivocal: A borderline result. Obtain an additional specimen for retesting in 4-6 weeks.
- Positive: IgG antibodies specific to HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 detected.
A normal result is negative.
Turnaround time
1-3 days
