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Test Code QHV6P Human Herpesvirus-6 A and B DNA Detection and Quantification, PCR, Plasma


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube:

Preferred: Plastic vial

Acceptable: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.


Useful For

As an adjunct in the rapid diagnosis of human herpesvirus-6 infection using plasma specimens

 

This test should not be used to screen asymptomatic patients

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Reporting Name

HHV-6 A and B DNA Quant PCR, P

Specimen Type

Plasma EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma EDTA Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days
  Ambient  24 hours

Reference Values

Undetected

Interpretation

The quantification range of this assay is 500 to 5,000,000 copies/mL (2.70 log to 6.70 log copies/mL)

 

An "Undetected" test result indicates the absence of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA in plasma.

 

A test result of "<500 copies/mL (<2.70 log copies/mL)" indicates that HHV-6 DNA is detected in the plasma, but the assay cannot accurately quantify the level of HHV-6 DNA.

 

A test result of ">5,000,000 copies/mL (>6.70 log copies/mL)" indicates that the HHV-6 DNA level present in plasma is above 5,000,000 copies/mL (6.70 log copies/mL), and the assay cannot accurately quantify the level of HHV-6 DNA. A viral load above 5,000,000 copies/mL should raise suspicion for chromosomally-integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6), and additional testing to rule out ciHHV-6 may be needed.

 

An "Inconclusive" result indicates that the presence or absence of HHV-6 DNA in the plasma specimen could not be determined with certainty after repeat testing in the laboratory, possibly due to inhibition or the presence of an interfering substance. If clinically indicated, submission of a new specimen for testing is recommended.

Clinical Reference

1. Agut H, Bonnafous P, Gautheret-Dejean A. Laboratory and clinical aspects of human herpesvirus 6 infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015;28(2):313-335

2. De Bolle L, Naesens L, De Clercq E. Update on human herpesvirus 6 biology, clinical features, and therapy. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2005;18(1):217-245

3. Dockrell DH, Paya CV. Human herpesvirus-6 and -7 in transplantation. Rev Med Virol. 2001;11(1):23-36

4. Campadelli-Fiume G, Mirandola P, Menotti L. Human herpesvirus 6: An emerging pathogen. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 1999;5(3):353-366. doi:10.3201/eid0503.990306

5. Abdel-Haq NM, Asmar BI. Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) infection. Indian J Pediatr. 2004;71(1):89-96

6. Dockrell DH, Smith TF, Paya CV. Human herpesvirus 6. Mayo Clin Proc. 1999;74(2):163-170

7. Pellet Madan RP, Hand J; AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Human herpesvirus 6, 7, and 8 in solid organ transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant, 2019;33(9):e13518. doi:10.1111/ctr.13518

8. Pawlowski AB, Karras NA, Liu H, et al. Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis. 2021;23(1):e13453. doi:10.1111/tid.13453

9. Yip CCY, Sridhar S, Cheng AKW, et al. Comparative evaluation of a laboratory developed real-time PCR assay and the RealStar HHV-6 PCR Kit for quantitative detection of human herpesvirus 6. J Virol Methods. 2017;246:112-116

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

4 to 6 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87533

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
QHV6P HHV-6 A and B DNA Quant PCR, P 49392-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
622169 HHV6 A DNA Detect/Quant, P 49392-4
622170 HHV6 B DNA Detect/Quant, P 49392-4

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.