Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1/2, IgM, EIA-13420
Not useful per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
July 12, 2022
LabCorp has announced that they are currently not able to perform this assay. There is no alternative test available.
Test info
HSV type 1 and type 2, IgM
Per CDC guidelines, IgM testing for HSV 1 or HSV-2 is not useful, because IgM tests are not type-specific and might be positive during recurrent genital or oral episodes of herpes.
Type specific IgG antibodies develop during the first several weeks after infection and persist indefinitely. Type-specific IgG antibody testing might be useful in the following situations.
- recurrent genital symptoms or atypical symptoms with negative HSV PCR or culture
- clinical diagnosis of genital herpes without laboratory confirmation, and
- a patient whose partner has genital herpes.
HSV serologic testing should be considered for persons presenting for an STD evaluation, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type specific IgG antibodies.
Specimen
Submission of the minimum volume does not allow for repeat testing
Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
- Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
- Allow sample to clot
- Spin
- Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum, within two (2) hours of sample collection
Refrigerated
- Hemolysis
- Lipemia
- Gross bacterial contamination
Performance
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Clinical and Interpretive info
Equivocal: 0.91−1.09 ratio
Positive: >1.09 ratio