Pathology Handbook

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HIV Viral Load (Sendaway Test)

Laboratory:

Microbiology

Test Code:

HIL

Medicare rebatable:

Yes

Specimen Types:

EDTA
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Serum

Container Types:

EDTA 10 mL
CSF Tube 3
SST

Adults Volume or Mass:

10 mL

Minimum/Paediatric Volume or Mass:

1 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

TEST CAN ONLY BE DONE ON KNOWN HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS

Request form may state "ART" or "retrovirus infection" or patients should have evidence of positive confirmed HIV serology or previous HIV viral load requests - if unsure, please speak with Clinical Microbiologist or Microbiology Department.

Requests for urgent testing must be approved by the Microbiology Unit Head.

A minimum of 1 mL of CSF is required for this test.

Note: NATA/RCPA accreditation does not cover CSF samples, as test is not validated on this sample type. Results should be interpreted with caution.

Transport Instructions:

Room Temperature

EDTA dedicated (1ml of plasma required to perform test).

Processing Instructions:

Centrifuge
Store frozen

PLEASE NOTE:

One EDTA tube is required for this test (can be requested in combination with HIV Genotype).

EDTA sample is to be centrifuged, plasma aliquoted and frozen at -20^c.

Assay Frequency:

Daily

External Laboratory:

V.I.D.R.L.

External Laboratory details...

External Transport Instructions:

Send Frozen on Dry Ice

If EDTA plasma, send to VIDRL on dry ice.

VIDRL Contact: Jodie De Costa 93429625

USEFUL LINKS

Frozen Section Booking Form