HIV-1 Viral Load Testing
Brief Description
The Abbott Alinity m Real-Time HIV-1 assay is an in vitro reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the quantification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) in human plasma from HIV-1 infected individuals.
Laboratory Unit
Virology
Methodology
Reverse Transcription Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
Specimen Collection
Plasma:
Collect specimen in a sterile Pearl Top Plasma Preparation Tube (PPT) provided by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL). The minimum volume is 3 mL for HIV Viral Load.Centrifuge.
Storage/Transport
- Plasma can be maintained at room temperature (15-30°C) during transit for no more than 24 hours after plasma separation.
- Plasma can be maintained at room temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 72 hours after collection in the primary tube.
- For longer storage, aliquot into a secondary Cryogenic (Pour Off) Tube.
- Plasma can be stored frozen (-20°C or colder) and shipped within 72 hours with dry ice. Do not use frost-free freezers for storing samples. Only frozen specimens will be accepted.
-
FRM-QA
4 Refrigeration Outfit Guide
Acceptable Specimen Type(s)
Plasma
Test Request
- GPHL Apollo Web Portal
-
Web
Portal Instructions
- For manual orders, download the
GPHL
Submission Form
Possible Results
- Not detected
- < 20 copies/ml
- 20 copies/ml to 10,000,000 copies/ml
- >10,000,000 copies/ml
- Unsatisfactory
Reference Range
Not detected
Unacceptable Conditions
- Missing written testing requisition
- Missing minimum of two patient identifiers
- Improper labeling
- Arriving at room temperature
- Not approved for testing by the indicated method, e.g., blood for VDRL
- Serum instead of plasma
- Whole blood instead of plasma
- Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, turbid, or contaminated
- Specimen damaged, or leaking, upon arrival
- With an insufficient quantity for testing (QNS)
- Specimen received unspun
Interfering Substances
N/A
Result Reported
3-5 business days
Fees
LOINC/Order Codes
25836-8 (Order code: 1340)