Laboratory Information
Test Name
HIV viral load
Synonyms
Human Immunodeficiency virus viral load.
Specimen Collection
Pre Testing Requirements
Requires dedicated EDTA specimens (no other tests requested).
Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols
Do not use serum, do not use heparin.
Adult Specimen
3.0 mL EDTA plasma.
Paediatric Specimen
At least 3mL whole blood to yield 1.5 mL EDTA plasma
Instructions for Referral to Waikato Lab
Aliquot instructions
Centrifuge and separate EDTA plasma samples within 24 hours of collection into a sterile tube. Specimens separated into thin-walled plastic tubes are unacceptable.
Aliquot Transport
Transport at 2 - 8 degrees C if transport time from collection is less than 24 hours. Transport frozen if more than 24 hours.
Test Information
Department
Molecular Biology
Test Availability
Mon - Fri, 0800 - 1630 excl. Public Holidays
Laboratory Turnaround Time
Six weekly
Method
COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 V 2.0
Unit of measurement
Copies/mL and Log copies/mL.
Uncertainty of measurement
0.06
Interpretation
One copy of HIV-1 RNA is equivalent to 1.7 +/- 0.1 International Units using the Roche COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 V 2.0 assay
Minimum Volume
1.5mL EDTA plasma.
