Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load

Test information: This assay is used for the detection and quantification of HIV-1 RNA in human plasma from HIV-1 infected individuals, to monitor response to treatment. This assay is NOT intended to be used as a blood donor screening test for HIV-1 or as a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of HIV-1 infection.

Availability: Available locally Monday - Friday locally during routine hours: 08:45 - 17:15.

Turnaround Time: Same Day

Related Tests:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serology
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus Resistance Testing
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Proviral DNA
• Recent Infection Testing Algorithm (RITA)

Specimen Type(s)

• EDTA Whole Blood;

Other Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

N/A

Specimen Container - Adult

• Gold Top SST BD;

Specimen Container - Paediatric

• N/A;

Analytes

• HIV-1 RNA ;

Part of a test profile?

No

Volume (min) of sample to be sent to laboratory

Whole Blood: 10 - 20mL
Please note this test requires a minimum of 1 mL of plasma to perform.

Patient Preparation, Sample Handling and Transport

• Specimens should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible
• Whole blood samples are stable up to 24 hours at 2 - 30 °C

Maximum add on time

N/A

Units and Reference Ranges / Interpretation

Units: copies/mL
Linear Range: 40 to 10,000,000 I copies/mL
Limit of Quantification: 40 copies/mL
Limit of Detection: Please contact laboratory, this varies between HIV-1 subtypes and groups but is <22.3 copies/mL for all sub types and groups detected by this assay.

UKAS number

8869

UKAS accredited test?

Yes

Comments

Patients who have received CAR-T therapies may display positive results as a result of the presence of the LTR target within certain chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) products.

Additional confirmatory testing should be performed to determine the patient’s HIV status in people who have received CAR-T treatment.

If you have any queries about a test or results interpretation please contact us.