Ordering Recommendation

In the absence of active lesions, this is the preferred serology test for diagnosing herpes simplex viral infection.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.5 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimen. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Plasma or urine. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or lipemic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-2 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  HSV 1 Glycoprotein G Ab, IgG 0.89 IV or less
  HSV 2 Glycoprotein G Antibody, IgG 0.89 IV or less

Interpretive Data

Individuals infected with HSV may not exhibit detectable IgG antibody to type-specific HSV antigens 1 and 2 in the early stages of infection. Detection of antibody presence in these cases may only be possible using a non-type specific screening test.


Component Interpretation
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibody, IgG by CIA 0.89 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable IgG antibody to HSV type 1 glycoprotein G.
0.90-1.09 IV: Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgG antibody to HSV type 1 glycoprotein G. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.10 IV or greater: Positive - IgG antibody to HSV type 1 glycoprotein G detected, which may indicate a current or past HSV infection.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibody, IgG by CIA 0.89 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G.
0.90-1.09 IV: Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.10 IV or greater: Positive - IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G detected, which may indicate a current or past HSV infection.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

For CSF, refer to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibody, IgG by ELISA, CSF (ARUP test code 0050379) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibody, IgG by ELISA, CSF (ARUP test code 0050359).

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86695; 86696

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050292 HSV 1 Glycoprotein G Ab, IgG 42337-6
0050294 HSV 2 Glycoprotein G Antibody, IgG 42338-4
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • HSV
  • HSV glycoprotein G type 1 and 2
  • HSV typing 1 and 2
Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibodies, IgG by CIA