Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Sub-Page

Test Name/Synonym:

HIV 1 NAT and HIV 2 NAT
(Synonym: HIV 1 Viral Load, HIV 2 Viral Load, HIV-1 Viral Load, HIV-2 Viral Load, HIV-1 NAT, HIV-2 NAT, HIV PCR-viral load (quantitative), HIV PCR, HIV Quantitative, HIV Quant, HIV RNA, HIV1 RNA, HIV VL, HIV VL monitoring, HIV Detection PCR)

Pathogen:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV 1)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV 2)

Clinical Indications:

For monitoring known HIV positive patients during treatment.

For HIV 2 viral load testing, consult with the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call.

Test Includes:

NAT or PCR

LABID (Connect Care):

HIV 1 NAT - LAB919
HIV 2 NAT – LAB9769

Specimen Collection Requirements:

For samples that can reach the laboratory within 8 hours of collection:

Adult: One full DEDICATED 4 mL LAVENDAR EDTA

Pediatric: One full DEDICATED 2 mL LAVENDAR EDTA

DO NOT centrifuge

Ship on ice or cold pack (NOT FROZEN)

For remote areas (when specimen delivery is > 8 hours to Provincial Lab):

Adult: One full DEDICATED 5 mL WHITE PLASMA PREPARATION TUBE (PPT)

Pediatric: May use one DEDICATED PPT tube with 2 mL of blood in it.

Centrifuge

DO NOT open or pour off

Refrigerate until transport

Ship on ice or cold pack

Test Resources:

Serology and Molecular Testing Requisition
Must indicate viral load on requisition

Transportation:

Ship according to 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

Method and Interpretation of Results:

HIV 1 Viral Load

HIV not detected with no numerical value indicates either absence of viraemia OR below the assay detection threshold of 40 copies /mL

HIV detected with a value > 40 copies/mL indicates active infection with a quantifiable viral load.

HIV is unquantifiable, with a value < 40 copies/ml can either be:

Contact the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call for additional information if required.

Routine Turn Around Time:

HIV 1 NAT - 7 days
HIV 2 NAT - Contact the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call

Testing Area:

HIV 1 NAT - Virology
HIV 2 NAT - Referred Out

Performing Site:

Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (Edmonton)

Additional Test Information:

Risk Group 3
HIV is a notifiable disease in Alberta
For outside Calgary Zone and Edmonton Zone, PPT may be ordered from the Distribution Centre, Edmonton Site. See: Packing Area/Distribution Centre
For HIV 2 viral load testing, consult with Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call.

Last Updated On:

Friday, March 21, 2025

Date of Last Review:

May 3 2024 12:00AM