Lab Services

We offer diagnostic testing services for leukotropic human herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus six, human herpesvirus seven and Epstein-Barr virus) and human enteroviruses. Methods used in the federally certified CLIA diagnostic laboratory range from classical viral isolation procedures to advanced molecular based techniques.

We also offer histopathology that includes organ preservation, generation of tissue slices, staining and scoring by certified pathologists. Gross necropsy that includes detection of drug-induced abnormalities, organ removal and preservation for histological or molecular analysis.

Diagnostic Lab Tests

2000 Rapid Human Herpesvirus Six (HHV-6) Culture and Antigenemia 

Methodology:

  Shell vial culture. Detects both active HHV-6 A and HHV-6 B infection, but does not differentiate between them. 

Performed: 
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 

Reported: 
Within 5 days after receipt in lab 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: Whole blood: 7-10 ml in ACD (acid citrate dextrose). Bone marrow: 2-3 ml in sodium heparin. Bronchoalveolar lavage: 2-3 ml in sterile, leak-proof container.
  • Transport: ACD tube and bone marrow at room temperature. Bronchoalveolar lavage refrigerated (wet ice). Ship Monday-Thursday. 
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Specimen received frozen. 
Specimen received greater than 48 hours from collection. 
Serum or plasma received instead of whole blood. 
Stability: Whole blood and bone marrow: Room temperature, 48 hours. 
Bronchoalveolar lavage: Refrigerated, 48 hours. 
Remarks: 
Only one ACD tube necessary for the Rapid HHV-6 Culture and PCR testing. Transport as whole blood. 
Reference Value: Negative: 
Result is qualitative. Negative or Positive. 
Interpretive Data: 
Negative result suggests, but does not prove, the absence of active HHV-6 infection. Positive result is consistent with active HHV-6 infection.
 

1100 Human Herpesvirus Six (HHV-6) DNA Nested PCR 

Methodology: 
Polymerase Chain Reaction. Enhanced sensitivity of nested PCR for the detection of active infection. Detects and differentiates HHV-6 A and HHV-6 B. 

Performed: 
Monday - Friday 

Reported: 

Within 4 days of receipt in lab. 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: CSF or one 7 to 10 ml ACD (acid citrate dextrose) tube. 
  • Transport: 1 ml CSF or plasma (ACD) in a sterile, leak-proof container, frozen (dry ice). Or ship ACD tube as whole blood at room temperature.
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Whole blood received frozen. 
Whole blood received greater than 48 hours from collection. 
Stability: 
Plasma and CSF: Room temperature, 4 hours. Refrigerator, 3 days. Frozen, 1 year. 
Whole blood: Room temperature, 48 hours. 
 Reference Value: Negative

1200 Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA Nested PCR 

Methodology: 
Polymerase Chain Reaction. Enhanced sensitivity of nested PCR for the detection of active infection. 

Performed: 
Monday - Friday 

Reported: 

Within 4 days of receipt in lab. 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: One 7 to 10 ml ACD (acid citrate dextrose) tube. 
  • Transport: Plasma (ACD) in a sterile, leak-proof container, frozen (dry ice). Or ship ACD tube as whole blood at room temperature. 
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Whole blood received frozen. 
Whole blood received greater than 48 hours from collection. 
 
Stability: 
Plasma: Room temperature, 4 hours. Refrigerator, 3 days. Frozen, 1 year. 
Reference Value: Negative
 

3000 Rapid Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Culture and Antigenemia 

Methodology: 
Shell vial culture. Detects active HCMV infections by immunofluorescent staining with a HCMV specific monoclonal antibody. 

Performed: 
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 

Reported: 

Within 5 days upon receipt in lab 
 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: Whole blood: 7-10 ml in ACD (acid citrate dextrose). Bone marrow: 2-3 ml in sodium heparin. Bronchoalveolar lavage: 2-3 ml in sterile, leak-proof container. 
  • Transport: ACD tube and bone marrow at room temperature. Bronchoalveolar lavage refrigerated (wet ice). Ship Monday - Thursday. 
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Specimen received frozen. 
Specimen received greater than 48 hours from collection. 
Serum or plasma received instead of whole blood. 
Stability: 
Whole blood and bone marrow: Room temperature, 48 hours. 
Bronchoalveolar lavage: Refrigerated, 48 hours. 
 

Remarks: 
Only one ACD tube necessary for the Rapid HCMV Culture, Rapid HHV-6 Culture and PCR testing. Transport as whole blood. 

Reference Value: Negative 
Result is qualitative. Negative or Positive. 

Interpretive Data: 
Negative result suggests but does not prove the absence of active HCMV infection. Positive result is consistent with active HCMV infection.
 

1400 Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA Nested PCR 

Methodology: 
Polymerase Chain Reaction. Enhanced sensitivity of nested PCR for the detection of active infection.

Performed: 
Monday - Friday 

Reported: 

Within 4 days upon receipt in lab. 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: CSF or one 7 to 10 ml ACD (acid citrate dextrose) tube. 
  • Transport: 1 ml CSF or plasma (ACD) in a sterile, leak-proof container, frozen (dry ice). Or ship ACD tube as whole blood at room temperature. 
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Whole blood received frozen. 
Whole blood received greater than 48 hours from collection. 

Stability: 
Plasma and CSF: Room temperature, 4 hours. Refrigerator, 3 days. Frozen, 1 year. Whole blood: Room temperature, 48 hours. 
 

Reference Value: 
Negative
 

1300 Human Herpesvirus Seven (HHV-7) DNA PCR 

Methodology: 
Polymerase Chain Reaction. Enhanced sensitivity of nested PCR for the detection of active infection. 

Performed: 
Monday - Friday 
Reported: 
Within 4 days upon receipt in lab. 

Specimen Required: 
  • Collect: One 7 to 10 ml ACD (acid citrate dextrose) tube. 
  • Transport: Plasma (ACD) in a sterile, leak-proof container, frozen (dry ice). Or ship ACD tube as whole blood at room temperature. 
Unacceptable Conditions: 
Whole blood received frozen. 
Whole blood received greater than 48 hours from collection. 
 

Stability: 
Plasma: Room temperature, 4 hours. Refrigerator, 3 days. Frozen, 1 year. 

Reference Value: 
Negative
 

Additional instructions 

All specimens should be labeled with the patient's name and collection date. Ship specimen with a completed PhysioGenix Test Request Form. Ship specimens for testing, Monday through Thursday, to the following address: Wisconsin Viral Research Group 10437 Innovation Drive Suite 321 Milwaukee, WI 53226 Call (414) 774-8612 for a specimen kit with instructions for the submission of blood samples. PCR tests use a commercial kit or reagent that has not been approved or cleared by the FDA. The performance characteristics were determined by PhysioGenix.

 

Single Test Pricing

 

Test No.

Test Name

Price

2000

Rapid Human Herpesvirus Six (HHV-6) Culture and Antigenemia

$ 445

1100

Human Herpesvirus Six (HHV-6) DNA Nested PCR

$ 275

1200

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA Nested PCR

$ 225

3000

Rapid Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Culture and Antigenemia

$ 445

1400

Human Cytomegalovirus(HCMV) DNA Nested PCR

$ 250

1300

Human Herpesvirus Seven (HHV-7) DNA PCR

$ 225

 

Pricing of multiple sample submissions is as follows:

The price for ordering tests 2000 and 3000 (the Rapid Cultures with Antigenemia for HHV-6 and HCMV) together is $670.00

The price for ordering two or more PCR tests together results in a discount of 20% off the combined PCR test prices.