HIV Viral Load NAAT, Blood (Referred Out) - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
- This test should only be ordered on known Anti-HIV antibody positive patients.
- For needle stick exposure test at 6 weeks as per Saskatchewan Health's "Guidelines For The Management Of Potential Exposure To Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV And Recommendations For Post-Exposure Prophylaxis"
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Lavender (EDTA) 4.0mL
- Alternate collection container: Lavender (EDTA) 3.0mL
Collection procedure
- Aliquot required amount of plasma equally between two 4.0 mL cryovials (preferred) or two 12 x 75 mm plastic tubes
- If less than 2.5 ml plasma is collected, send in one 3 ml cryovial
- Plasma must be separated from cells and frozen within 6 hours of collection
Required volume
- Optimal volume: Two full 4.0 mL collection tubes
- Minimum/pediatric volume: 2 mL whole blood (1 mL EDTA Plasma)
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection)
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Days/times performed
Availability |
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Testing site |
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Maximum laboratory time
- Three day turnaround time by testing laboratory
Last Updated: October 8, 2024