EPIC Code

LAB3233
HSVPCRPLS

Performing Lab

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Clinical Laboratory - Molecular Diagnostics

Collect

Preferred: 6 mL Pink (K2 EDTA)
Acceptable: 4 mL Purple (EDTA) or 2.0 mL Pink top (K2EDTA) BD Microtainer

Specimen Preparation

Separate plasma from cells. Transfer 1 mL of plasma to a sterile container (Min: >0.2 mL).

Unacceptable Conditions

  • Blood collected in containers other than EDTA.
  • Plasma from green tops (LiHep or NaHep).
  • Frozen whole blood.
  • Sample not properly identified, incorrect container, insufficient volume, or past stability.
  • Lab Note: Samples processed in lab using non-sterile technique—including samples previously tested with a “common needle” on an instrument (e.g., Sysmex)—are unacceptable.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Internal: Ambient
Offsite: Refrigerated

Performed

Day shift: Sunday–Friday

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Room Temp: 12 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: ≥31 days

Notes

Prior to February 2, 2026, this test was performed on whole blood. Now plasma.

Performed

Day shift: Sunday–Friday

Methodology

Qualitative Real-time PCR

Reported

1–3 days

Synonyms

  • HSVPCRPLS (previously HSVPCRBLD)
  • HSV PCR Blood
  • Herpes PCR Plasma
  • HSV PCR-plasma
  • HSV PCR-Blood
  • HSV Type 1 PCR-Blood
  • HSV Type 2 PCR-Blood
  • Herpes Simplex PCR
  • Herpes Simplex Virus PCR

EPIC Code

LAB3233
HSVPCRPLS

Reference Interval

Note: Separate qualitative results will usually be given for both HSV type 1 and HSV type 2. Occasionally some samples do not exhibit clear typing and these samples will be resulted as "Detected - unable to subtype."

HSV Type 1 PCR-BloodNot Detected
HSV Type 2 PCR-BloodNot Detected
Result comments:
Negative, no HSV detected.

A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or test-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection by this test.

Interpretive Data

Methodology: 
The Herpes Simples Virus (HSV) by PCR blood is a qualitative nucleic acid amplification test for the detection and subtyping of HSV type 1 and type 2 in patients at risk for disseminated infection. This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics determined by UCHealth Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes. 

CPT Codes

87529 x2
Collection

EPIC Code

LAB3233
HSVPCRPLS

Performing Lab

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Clinical Laboratory - Molecular Diagnostics

Collect

Preferred: 6 mL Pink (K2 EDTA)
Acceptable: 4 mL Purple (EDTA) or 2.0 mL Pink top (K2EDTA) BD Microtainer

Specimen Preparation

Separate plasma from cells. Transfer 1 mL of plasma to a sterile container (Min: >0.2 mL).

Unacceptable Conditions

  • Blood collected in containers other than EDTA.
  • Plasma from green tops (LiHep or NaHep).
  • Frozen whole blood.
  • Sample not properly identified, incorrect container, insufficient volume, or past stability.
  • Lab Note: Samples processed in lab using non-sterile technique—including samples previously tested with a “common needle” on an instrument (e.g., Sysmex)—are unacceptable.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Internal: Ambient
Offsite: Refrigerated

Performed

Day shift: Sunday–Friday

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Room Temp: 12 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: ≥31 days

Notes

Prior to February 2, 2026, this test was performed on whole blood. Now plasma.
Ordering

Performed

Day shift: Sunday–Friday

Methodology

Qualitative Real-time PCR

Reported

1–3 days

Synonyms

  • HSVPCRPLS (previously HSVPCRBLD)
  • HSV PCR Blood
  • Herpes PCR Plasma
  • HSV PCR-plasma
  • HSV PCR-Blood
  • HSV Type 1 PCR-Blood
  • HSV Type 2 PCR-Blood
  • Herpes Simplex PCR
  • Herpes Simplex Virus PCR

EPIC Code

LAB3233
HSVPCRPLS

Result Interpretation

Reference Interval

Note: Separate qualitative results will usually be given for both HSV type 1 and HSV type 2. Occasionally some samples do not exhibit clear typing and these samples will be resulted as "Detected - unable to subtype."

HSV Type 1 PCR-BloodNot Detected
HSV Type 2 PCR-BloodNot Detected
Result comments:
Negative, no HSV detected.

A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or test-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection by this test.

Interpretive Data

Methodology: 
The Herpes Simples Virus (HSV) by PCR blood is a qualitative nucleic acid amplification test for the detection and subtyping of HSV type 1 and type 2 in patients at risk for disseminated infection. This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics determined by UCHealth Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes. 
Administrative

CPT Codes

87529 x2

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