HIV Viral Load (NAAT)

Molecular Diagnostics
HIV Viral Load (NAAT)
Specimen Collection Procedure
4 mL Plasma (EDTA) 
Plasma (EDTA):  Collect blood in vacutainer containing EDTA (lavender stopper).  Centrifuge.  Aliquot required amount of plasma equally between two (2) 3 mL cryovials as soon as possible.  If less than 2.5 mL plasma is collected, send in one (1) 3 mL cryovial.  Freeze specimens as soon as possible.  If specimens thaw, viral load values may not be reliable.
 
Chem & Immuno  SHA Doc 1400-55 SDCL003R v11
NOTE:  This test should only be ordered on known Anti-HIV antibody positive patients.

NOTE:  Plasma MUST be separated from cells within 6 hours of collection.

NOTE:  HIV Viral Load in Infants < 18 Months of Age:
∙The HIV Viral Load (NAAT) test may be used to detect HIV infection in infants because the HIV antibody may be passively transferred.
∙The Public Health case definition requires the detection of HIV nucleic acid on two separate samples collected approximately two months apart.
∙Infants receiving prophylaxis or treatment need not be tested while receiving antivirals, but should be tested 3-4 weeks after completion of treatment.
∙In infants <18 months of age born to HIV positive women, nucleic acid testing should be done within two weeks after birth and, if negative repeated at 1 to 2 months and at 3 to 4 months of age.  Any positive results should be repeated with a second specimen for confirmation.
∙For infants who are born to HIV positive women and who have negative nucleic acid results, antibody testing should be done at 12 to 18 months of age to ensure that they have lost maternally derived antibodies.  These infants should continue to be monitored until they have a negative HIV antibody result.
Send frozen on dry ice. Package as required by transport system used. Ship in accordance with Transport Canada Regulations. 
∙Target not Detected
∙<2.00E+01 Copies/mL (<20 Copies/mL; HIV RNA Detected below the reproducible limit of quantification of the assay)
∙Dynamic Range: 2.00E+01 to 1.00E+07 Copies/mL (20 to 10,000,000 Copies/mL)
∙>1.00E+07 Copies/mL (>10,000,000 Copies/mL; HIV RNA Detected above the reproducible limit of quantification of the assay)

NOTE:  The lower limit of quantification for low volume specimens is 5.00E+01 Copies/mL (50 Copies/mL).
3 days
10/26/2023 1:24:01 PM
Paper copies of the RRPL Test Compendium are uncontrolled and may be incomplete or out-of-date. To view the most current information, visit https://rrpl-testviewer.ehealthsask.ca/.