Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) by Quantitative PCR




Test Mnemonic

HHV8QT

CPT Codes

  • 87799 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • HHV8
  • Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus

Includes

  • HHV8 by Quantitative PCR, Copy/mL
  • HHV8 by Quantitative PCR, Log copy/mL
  • HHV8 by Quantitative PCR, Interp

Performing Laboratory

ARUP

FDA Category

Laboratory Developed Test


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLSerumSST (Gold) RefrigeratedSeparate serum from cells and transfer to standard aliquot tube.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLPlasmaEDTA (Lavender) RefrigeratedSeparate plasma from cells and transfer to standard aliquot tube.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
0.5 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Refrigerated1 week
Frozen1 year
Ambient24 hours

Days Performed

Mon, Thu

Turnaround Time

3 - 6 days

Methodology

Name Description
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Quant 

Reference Range

Special Info

Specimen source required. This test is New York state approved.

Clinical Info

This test is useful to detect and quantify herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). The limit of quantification for this DNA test is 3.8 log copies/mL (6,670 copies/mL). If the test DID NOT DETECT the virus, the test result will be reported as "< 3.8 log copies/mL (< 6,670 copies/mL)." If the test DETECTED the presence of the virus but was not able to accurately quantify the number of copies, the test result will be reported as "Not Quantified." A negative result (less than 3.8 log copies/mL or less than 6,670 copies/mL) does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or HHV8 DNA concentrations below the level of detection of the test. Inhibition may also lead to underestimation of viral quantitation.

Clinical Limitation

No international standard is currently available for calibration of this assay. Caution should be taken when interpreting results generated by different assay methodologies.