Determines viral phenotype resistance to three classes of commonly prescribed antiretroviral drugs: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTI), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTI), and protease inhibitors (PI). Viral replication capacity is also included.

This procedure should be used for patients with documented HIV-1 infection and viral loads ≥500 copies/mL.

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL x 2

• Collect specimen in two (2) lavender-top (EDTA) tubes
• Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10, times to prevent clotting

1. Spin within six (6) hours of sample collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as EDTA plasma
3. Freeze

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Frozen

• Insufficient volume
• Heparinized plasma
• Non-frozen specimens
• Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles
• Specimen received in "pop-top" or "snap-cap" tube
• Specimen collected in green-top (heparin) tubes

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and viral culture

An interpretive report will be provided