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Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) Antibodies, IgG

CPT 86790
Synonyms
  • HHV-6, IgG Antibodies

Test Details

Methodology

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

Result Turnaround Time

2 - 6 days

Use

Aid in the diagnosis of past infection/exposure to roseola infantum; may be useful in diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

Specimen Requirements

Limitations

This procedure may be considered by Medicare and other carriers as investigational and, therefore, may not be payable as a covered benefit for patients.

References

Huang LM, Lee CY, Lin KH, et al. Human herpesvirus-6 associated with fatal haemophagocytic syndrome. Lancet. 1990 Jul 7; 336(8706):60-61. (letter) 1973248
Suga S, Yoshikawa T, Asano Y, Yazaki T, Hirata S. Human herpesvirus-6 infection (exanthem subitum) without rash. Pediatrics. 1989 Jun; 83(6):1003-1006. 2542875
Wakefield D, Lloyd A, Dwyer J, Salahuddin SZ, Ablashi DV. Human herpesvirus-6 and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Lancet. 1988 May 7; 1(8593):1059. 2896906
Yamanishi K, Okuno T, Shiraki K, et al. Identification of human herpesvirus-6 as a causal agent for exanthema subitum. Lancet. 1988 May 14; 1(8594):1065-1067. 2896909

Custom Additional Information

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has recently been identified as the agent associated with both pediatric and adult infections. Most children have been infected by age three. The acute infection in children is characterized clinically by an acute febrile illness, irritability, inflammation of tympanic membranes, and (uncommonly) a rash characteristic of roseola.

In adults, HHV-6 has been associated with chronic fatigue and spontaneously resolving fever resembling a mononucleosis-like illness. During the acute episode an elevated IgM HHV-6 is useful. An increase in IgG HHV-6 between acute and convalescent serum sample is consistent with a recent HHV-6 infection.

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Storage Instructions

Room temperature

Causes for Rejection

Hemolysis; lipemia; gross bacterial contamination

Collection Instructions

Specimen should be free of bacterial contamination, hemolysis, and lipemia.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x4

Reference Range

• Negative: <0.90 index

• Equivocal: 0.90−1.10 index

• Positive: >1.10 index

Fourfold rises in titer are suggestive of either recent, primary, or reactivated infection. The presence of elevated titers to HHV-6 in the absence of responses to HAV, HBV, CMV, and EMV suggests that titer results are associated with high specificity.

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
161075 HHV 6 IgG Antibodies 41148-8 161076 HHV 6 IgG Antibodies index 41148-8
Order Code161075
Order Code NameHHV 6 IgG Antibodies
Order Loinc41148-8
Result Code161076
Result Code NameHHV 6 IgG Antibodies
UofMindex
Result LOINC41148-8