Indications for Testing

Molecular testing performed at the PHML for HSV-1/2 and VZV is for diagnostic purposes only to detect HSV-1/2, VZV DNA in patient specimens following wild-type infection or suspect HSV and VZV encephalitis/meningitis.

Please note that HSV-1/2 and VZV PCR is run as a duplex and as such, PCR results for all three viruses will be reported together. HSV or VZV PCR cannot be ordered as individual tests and are not performed separately.

Aliases

• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Varicella-Zoster Virus
• VZV
• HSV
• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1/2

Reporting Name

HSV-1/2, VZV PCR

Specimen

Specimen Type	CSF collected in sterile container, Swab of vesicular or ulcerative lesions in non-expired universal transport medium (UTM) collected from anywhere on the skin or oral, genital or peri-anal mucosa, or corneal ulcer., brush or spatula scrub in Thin Prep Media
Specimen Volume	Minimum volume of CSF required is 250μL. Swab should be submitted in 3mL of universal transport media.
Rejected Due To	Swab submitted in other transport media other than UTM. Swab submitted in expired UTM. Swab submit. Swab stored outside the required temperature

 

HSV-1/2 and VZV   PCR Result	Interpretation
NOT DETECTED	DNA not detected
DETECTED	DNA detected

Method Description

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Status	Days	Turn-Around-Time (TAT)*
Routine – Weekly	Every day	24h

Please consult the microbiologist on call for approval for testing outside the routine schedule.