Synonyms HIV -1 viral load
Test Includes HIV -1
Lab Clinical Microbiology , BHS-03-307
Request Form HIV-1 Viral load test request form. Can be down loaded from the following web site http://pathology.cpmc.columbia.edu/HIV_ViralLoad.pdf
Phone (212) 305-7483
Availability Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 4 PM
Turnaround Time 3-5 days
Special Instructions Test request must be accompanied by a HIV-1 viral load test request form completed and signed by the physician. The requisition must indicate either the standard or ultra sensitive test. Record date and time of collection.
Specimen Plasma
Volume 5mL (Adult); 1.5 mL (Pediatric)
Minimum Volume 1.5 - 2 mL
Container Lavender (EDTA) top tube
Collection Routine venipuncture
Storage Instructions Maintain specimen at room temperature and deliver to the Clinical Microbiology lab CHS 3-305 within 5 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection Incomplete or missing HIV-1 viral load test request form, specimen submitted in wrong collection tube, specimen received after prolonged delay, inadequate specimen identification.
Reference Range Ultrasensitive HIV-1 assay (50 copies/mL); Standard HIV-1 assay
Use To monitor HIV-1 viral load during therapy. Not to be used for diagnostic purpose.
Methodology Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)