HIV-1 RNA, Qualitative, RT-PCR

Preferred Specimen(s) 2 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube or PPT (white-top) tubes.

Instructions Separate plasma from cells by centrifugation within six hours of collection and transfer the plasma to a separate plastic screw-cap vial. Ship frozen. Do not freeze PPT tubes.

Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature Frozen

Reject Criteria

  • Received room temperature
  • Received thawed
  • Serum
  • Heparinized plasma
  • Received frozen PPT (white-top) tubes
  • Unspun PPT tube

Methodology Real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Clinical Significance: Useful in the monitoring therapy and disease progression.