Labs for HHV-6 PCR DNA testing:

Viracor This lab specializes in serving physicians who treat transplant patients. They use real time PCR that gives consistent quantitative results as long as unfrozen samples in lavendar top tubes are delivered overnight. They have a quantitative assay that can detect 100 copies per ml which is more sensitive than many commercial labs, but not sensitive enough to detect low-grade chronic infections. They have developed a proprietary technique that allows them to differentiate the A from the B. Order forms and instructions can be downloaded from their web site.

Sample requirements: 3 mls whole blood in lavender top tube overnight at room temperature.         

Insurance billing: yes

Cost: $220

(800) 305-5198

Focus Diagnostics This lab does HHV-6 testing for the Mayo clinic. They use real time PCR and can now differentiate between the A and B variant. They use real time PCR and report a quantitative viral load or number of DNA copies.

Sample requirements:  1 ml serum OR 5 ml whole blood (ACD, EDTA)

Insurance billing: yes

Cost: $170.00 

(800) 445-0185

University of Washington, Diagnostic Virology Laboratory,  University of Washington, Diagnostic Virology Laboratory

Specimen requirements: Send 1 ml serum; centrifuge within one hour of draw. Insurance: no third party billing for
out-of-state clients

Price: $197    

To download order form

206-667-6999

Other Laboratories

A.R.U.P. Their PCR test differentiates between the A and B variant. They give a quantitative result of viral DNA, but can only detect HHV-6 if it is over 1,000 copies/ml. (which is high for HHV-6) Although this test can easily detect a primary infection, it is not sensitive enough to detect low- grade chronic CNS infection.

Sample requirements: 1 ml frozen plasma or CSF, overnight

Insurance billing: yes

Cost: $230

(800) 522-2787

Medical Diagnostic Labs / MDL The PCR methodology used by this lab results in an insensitive assay. We have had many reports of false negatives from this lab for the HHV-6 PCR test. (In other words, more than one physician has found that when samples from the same patient are sent to multiple labs, MDL will consistently report a negative result when the others are positive). MDL is not able to differentiate between A and B variant, and does not have a quantitative assay.

Prepay cost: $141.00

Insurance billing cost: $210.00

(877) 269-0090

Immunosciences This lab typically performs PCR testing on whole blood rather than cell free serum. A positive result on a qualitative test done on whole blood should not be considered an indication of active virus since this tests on whole blood can pick up latent infection as well. They will perform the test on serum if you make that request. They can not break out A vs. B variant.

Price: $150.00

(800) 950-4686

Labcorp This lab performs PCR testing on whole blood rather than cell free serum. A positive result on a test done on whole blood should not be considered an indication of active virus since this tests on whole blood can pick up latent infection as well.This lab performs tests on whole blood, which could result in a false positive due to latent infection in the cell.

(800) 859-6049

Quest Diagnostics. This is a large laboratory and one that is used by many of the HMO’s. This lab cannot differentiate between the A and B variants. The reverse-transcriptase PCR test was available briefly in some of the Quest regional labs but was then discontinued.

Sample requirements: .3 ml serum refrigerated.

Insurance billing: yes

Specialty Laboratories This lab offers a PCR test but they cannot differentiate between the A and B variant.

Price: 314.00

(800) 421-4449