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Specimen Collection

Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleic Acid Detection (HSV PCR)


Test Name
Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleic Acid Detection (HSV PCR)
Test Code
HSPC
Specimen Type
DEDICATED molecular specimens are required for blood and swab requests.
CSF, EDTA blood, Plasma/Serum, Semen, Copan eSwab Mini Tip FLOQSwab (orange cap), Tissue Biopsy

Note: If a swab larger than the Copan eSwab Mini Tip FLOQSwab (orange cap) is required, please consider using the Red Top Dry FLOQSwab - 552C.
    Minimum Volume
    0.5 mL blood / 0.2 mL CSF
    Preferred Volume
    1 mL blood / 0.5 mL CSF
    Comments

    Collection Instructions:

    Roll dry / flocked swab over lesion and resheath in original plastic container.

    Recommended transport/storage conditions
    • CSF: 2-8oC for 3 days
    • EDTA Blood: 2-8oC for 3 days
    • Plasma/Serum: 2-8oC for 3 days
    • Semen: 2-8oC for 3 days
    • Copan eSwab Mini Tip FLOQSwab (orange cap): 2-8oC for 7 days
    • Dry swab: 2-8oC for 3 days
    • Tissue biopsy: 2-8oC for 3 days
    Assay Performed

    Molecular Microbiology
    RCH - 9345 4673
    Laboratory Hours: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17:30 (excluding public holidays)

    No afterhours service; if urgent testing is required, the requesting clinician is to contact on-call Clinical Microbiologist for advice via switchboard
    Assay Frequency

    Daily (Monday – Friday)

    For same day results, specimens need to be received in the laboratory before 11:00am (RCH) and 8:30am (RWH)

    Copan eSwab

    Baby Blood Group, Rh & DAT