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Herpes simplex Antigen (DFA)
| Item |
Value |
| Approval req'd? |
No |
| Available Stat? |
No |
| Test code |
P347 |
| Test group |
Herpes |
| Performed by |
Microbiology |
| In House Availability |
Monday-Friday, day and evening shifts. Weekends, day shift only |
| Method |
Direct immunofluorescent assay |
| Collection Instructions |
Each slide should contain two spots of cells obtained from the base of an intact vesicle with a scalpel blade or swab. These spots should be approximately 1.5 cm in diameter (the size of a dime) |
| Container type |
Glass slide for smears, viral holding media for tissue biopsies |
| Sample type |
Tissue biopsy or smear of cells from base of vesicle (see collection instructions) |
| Preferred volume |
| Smear |
Two slides, each with two cell spots. |
|
| Min. Volume |
| Smear |
One slide with two spots or two slides each with one spot |
|
| UCSF Rejection Criteria |
Improperly collected sample. Unsuitable sample types. |
| Processing notes |
Prepare two touch prep smears from tissue biopsy.
Note: Do not reject samples submitted on swabs in holding media |
| Normal range |
Negative |
| Critical value |
Positive samples from inpatients and ED patients. |
| Synonyms |
HSV; HSV DFA; Herpes simplex Antigen; HSV Ag; HSV antigen |
| Stability |
Slides once prepared are stable at room temperature for 24 hours. For more prolonged stability, fix smears in acetone and freeze them at -70C. |
| Turn around times |
Same or next day |
| Additional information |
This test is NOT as sensitive as culture for Herpes simplex. |
| CPT coding |
87300 |
| LOINC code |
5855-2 |
| Last Updated |
8/24/2011 12:23:37 PM |
| Entry Number |
494 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667
