Alberta Precision Laboratories

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PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

SAC HIV Testing

Clinical Indications:

SAC (Southern Alberta Clinic) HIV Plasma Viral Load testing is used to monitor response to antiretroviral therapy in persons previously diagnosed with HIV-1.

SAC HIV Drug Resistance Testing and SAC HIV V3 Genotyping are used to guide the choice of antiretroviral therapy in persons previously diagnosed with HIV-1.

SAC Archive samples are used for long-term storage of specimens in persons previously diagnosed with HIV-1.

For persons not yet diagnosed with HIV-1, refer to HIV Diagnostic Testing

For persons previously diagnosed with HIV-1 not registered with SAC, refer to HIV 1 NAT and HIV 2 NAT and HIV Drug Resistance Testing (Referred Test)

Test Includes:

Tests available:

SAC HIV Plasma Viral Load
SAC HIV Drug Resistance Testing
SAC Plasma HIV V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
SAC Whole Blood HIV DNA V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma Only
SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC)

Ordering Alert:

SAC HIV Testing is only performed for patients registered with the Southern Alberta HIV Clinic (SAC - Calgary).

For non-SAC patients refer to HIV 1 NAT and HIV 2 NAT and HIV Drug Resistance Testing (Referred Test)

Electronic SAC test ordering is restricted to clinicians from or affiliated with SAC.

The APL Microbiology requisition is an acceptable alternative to electronic ordering only for SAC-affiliated outreach programs. A valid ‘SAC’ test orderable name must be spelled out under ‘Additional Tests’.

Collection Alert:

Collection is only available at designated sites throughout the province. Refer to Test Collection Locations for Southern Alberta Clinic Patients – Patient Instructions for designated collection sites. Most Alberta Precision Laboratories test collection sites require appointments, with limited locations accepting walk-in patients.

On-Line Booking:
- QMe (albertaprecisionlabs.ca)
- Patient/designate must select a designated collection site

Phone Booking:
- 1-877-702-4486
- Patient/designate must indicate that the appointment is for collection of a ‘SAC HIV’ test

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch locations
- Refer to Test Collection Locations for Southern Alberta Clinic Patients – Patient Instructions

If	Then
The patient requires Mobile Collections	SAC must prearrange Mobile Collections
Designated collection site is outside urban Calgary	Collections restricted to Monday-Thursday Collections must be performed using PPT™

Special collection requirements apply, see Specimen Collection Requirements below.

Shipping and Handling Alert:

Special handling and transportation requirements apply, see Processing and Transportation below.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB12308062 – SAC HIV Plasma Viral Load
LAB12308063 – SAC HIV Drug Resistance Testing (Genotypic)
LAB12308064 – SAC Plasma HIV V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
LAB12308065 – SAC Whole Blood HIV DNA V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
LAB12308066 – SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma Only
LAB12308067 – SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC)

Specimen Collection Requirements:

A BD Plasma Preparation Tube (PPT™) is the collection tube of choice for most SAC tests.

EDTA tubes may be used only by urban Calgary Patient Service Centers if required due to maximum blood collection volume (see Monitoring Maximum Blood Volume PA03-023) or for collection of specific tests.

Allow tube(s) to completely fill so vacuum is exhausted.

Test	Collection tube	Processing
SAC HIV Plasma Viral Load	Default: 5 mL plasma preparation tube (PPT™) Restricted maximum blood collection volume alternative (urban Calgary sites only): 3 mL lavender top tube (EDTA)	PPT: Centrifuge, within 6 hours, at 1100 rcf for 10 minutes. Do not aliquot. Refrigerate. EDTA (if collected): Centrifuge, within 6 hours, at routine settings (1100-1300 rcf) for 10 minutes. Aliquot plasma in a BSC. Refrigerate.
SAC HIV Drug Resistance Testing (Genotypic)
SAC Plasma HIV V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
SAC Whole Blood HIV DNA V3 Genotyping (Tropism)	*Urban Calgary sites only* Default: 6 mL lavender top tube (EDTA) Restricted maximum blood collection volume alternative (urban Calgary sites only): 3 mL lavender top tube (EDTA)	EDTA: DO NOT Centrifuge. Refrigerate. Deliver to DSC within 6 hours.
SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma Only	Default: 5 mL plasma preparation tube (PPT™) Restricted maximum blood collection volume alternative (urban Calgary sites only): 3 mL lavender top tube (EDTA)	PPT: Centrifuge at 1100 rcf for 10 minutes. Do not aliquot. Freeze. EDTA (if collected): Centrifuge at routine settings (1100-1300 rcf) for 10 minutes. Aliquot plasma in a BSC. Freeze plasma and refrigerate EDTA cells.
SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC)	*Urban Calgary sites only* Default: 6 mL lavender top tube (EDTA) Restricted maximum blood collection volume alternative (urban Calgary sites only): 3 mL lavender top tube (EDTA)

Test Resources:

Default collection tube types for each test are indicated on the specimen labels.

Microbiology Requisition 20571

Requisition Generator

Stability and Storage:

Tube	Temperature	Time
Uncentrifuged and Centrifuged PPT™	15 - 30°C	6 hours
Centrifuged PPT ™	2 - 8°C	5 days
Uncentrifuged EDTA	2 - 30°C	6 hours
EDTA plasma aliquot	2 - 8°C	5 days

Processing:

PPT™ specimens must be centrifuged within 6 hours of collection, and prior to transport.

PPT™ collections at designated FNIHB locations are transported to the nearest APL location, where they must be centrifuged prior to transport to their final destination.

Uncentrifuged PPT™ or EDTA specimens not received by Calgary DSC Microbiology within 6 hours of collection will be cancelled and will require recollection.

PPT™ specimen:

Centrifuge within 6 hours of collection, at 1100 rcf for 10 minutes.
Do not aliquot PPT™ specimens
Refrigerate centrifuged PPT™ at 2-8°C until transport

EDTA specimen – urban Calgary PSCs:

Do NOT centrifuge EDTA specimens
Refrigerate uncentrifuged EDTA at 2-8°C until transport

Transportation:

All HIV specimens (includes Archive Samples) are shipped using Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) guidelines.

Refer to https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/transportation-dangerous-goods-regulations
APL personnel - refer to HSM14 Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program

Refrigerate all SAC test specimens during transport (i.e. ice packs).

EDTA collections may require stat transport for receipt at DSC within 6 hours of collection. Consult courier schedule and request stat transport accordingly.

DS MICRO CGY APL Diagnostic and Scientific Centre packing list (batch type ID 1767):

SAC HIV Plasma Viral Load
SAC HIV Drug Resistance Testing (Genotypic)
SAC Plasma HIV V3 Genotyping (Tropism)
SAC Whole Blood HIV DNA V3 Genotyping (Tropism)

FH CGY Foothills Medical Centre Laboratory packing list (batch type ID 1737):

SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma Only
SAC Archive Plasma Sample – Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC)

Method:

SAC HIV Plasma Viral Load Test performed by Abbott Real Time HIV-1 Assay.

Testing Schedule:

Twice weekly

Testing Area:

Microbiology

Performing Site:

Diagnostic and Scientific Centre

Additional Test Information:

Associated HIV specialized monitoring tests are referred out to the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS every Tuesday.

Last Updated On:

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Registered Trademark Comments:

PPT™ is a registered trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company