BK Virus PCR

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BKLD

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8702

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

PPT tube is preferred. EDTA blood is acceptable.

Separating

PPT tubes must be centrifuged and separated within 6 hours of collection. EDTA tubes must be centrifuged within 6 hours of collection and the plasma transferred to a dedicated labelled sterile tube. Send a minimum of 1.0 mL of separated plasma.

Laboratory

Urine sample, centrifuged PPT and plasma separated and aliquoted from EDTA blood tube should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.

Sample Stability

Urine and centrifuged PPT plasma are stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. Beyond 7 days, aliquot into sterile labelled tubes and should be frozen at ≤−20°C. Plasma aliquoted from EDTA whole blood is stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days; should be frozen at ≤−20°C beyond 7 days.

Synonyms

BK Viral load
BKV Viral Load

Turnaround Time

2 days

Test not performed over weekend.

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• PPT Plasma Preparation Tube (Pale Pink Cap)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)
• Please refer to Additional Information below

Additional Specimen Information

Sample requirements:
EDTA whole blood: 1.5 mL (1500 uL) of whole blood is the absolute minimum volume required.
PPT 0.7mL of plasma sample is the absolute minimum volume required.
3 mL of urine sample is the absolute minimum volume required.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirements:
PPT is the preferred specimen type. Plasma separated from EDTA whole blood, including EDTA Microtainer tubes, is acceptable.
Centrifuge PPT and EDTA tubes within 6 hours of collection. Transfer EDTA plasma to a separate sterile tube.
Minimum plasma volume: 1.0 mL.
Minimum urine volume: 3 mL.

Sample stability:
Separated plasma and urine are stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, aliquot and freeze at ≤−20°C.

Transport:
Transport chilled at 2–8°C if received within 7 days; otherwise transport frozen.

Test Method

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (viral load).

Uncertainty of Measurement

+/- 0.2 log IU/mL

Urgent enquiries:
In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries:
Email: AK-MOL-INF-DIS@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Contact Information