Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Virology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
DSEQ
Test Code (Numeric Code)
8564
Laboratory Handling
Laboratory
Lesion swab, tissue samples, ocular fluid and CSF should be sent to Molecular Infectious Diseases section during the normal working hours 8:00 am - 16:00 pm. During weekend and afterhours store, the samples at 2–8°C. in dedicated box/rack in ALSS.
Sample Stability
Lesion swab, tissue samples, ocular fluid and CSF: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
Synonyms
HSV Drug Resistance
HSV Antiviral Resistance
Herpes Simplex Virus Drug Resistance
HSV Drug Resistance Genotyping
HSV Resistance Sequencing
Acyclovir Resistance Testing
Turnaround Time
2 weeks
Specimen Type
- CSF
- Skin Swab
- Tissue
- Vitreous Fluid
- Whole Blood
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Pre-testing Requirements
All HSV drug resistance testing must be discussed with a Clinical Virologist via AK-MOL-INF-DIS@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz before samples are sent.
The patient must have an existing HSV PCR-positive specimen with sufficient viral load for resistance testing. Please contact the laboratory for further information.
Additional Specimen Information
Lesion swabs: Collect in UTM/VTM.
Ocular fluid and CSF: Submit in a sterile, leak-proof container/syringe
Tissue: Submit fresh tissue in sterile normal saline or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.
The Clinical Virologist must be contacted through AK-MOL-INF-DIS@Tewhatuora.govt.nz before requesting HSV drug resistance testing on blood specimens.
Last updated: 30/08/2026