Test Order

HIV-1 RNA qualitative, HIV NAAT

Human

EDTA-treated plasma (preferred) or serum

2 mL

This test can be performed on EDTA-treated plasma (preferred) or serum.

Whole blood can be stored refrigerated (2-8°C) or room temperature (15-25°C) and must be separated within 24 hours of specimen collection. Separate the plasma or serum from the pelleted red blood cells following the manufacturer’s instructions for the tube used.

Separated plasma or serum may be stored refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to three days or frozen at -20°C or lower for up to 60 days.

Specimen should not have incurred more than two freeze-thaw cycles.

Not applicable

Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires two primary patient identifiers (e.g., patient first and last name, date of birth, unique patient identifier from time of collection, such as medical record number) on the specimen container and on the test requisition.

CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday – Friday. Ship refrigerated separated plasma or serum with refrigerated or frozen cold packs. Ship frozen serum or plasma specimens on dry ice.

Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 77
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
[Insert CDC Point of Contact’s Telephone Number]

All samples must be shipped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. Upon shipment, submitter should send an email to the CDC POC providing shipping company, shipped date and package tracking number.

Nucleic acid amplification

3 Weeks

Collections in heparin coated tubes are unacceptable due to heparin interference with nucleic acid amplification. Minimize storage at 18°C to 30°C in order to preserve HIV-1 RNA.

If testing results are inconclusive, additional plasma or serum may be required for subsequent testing.

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