Important Note

Date: 06/14/2023
To: WKHS Medical Staff & WK-CRL Clients
From: Bernadette McLaren, MD- WKHS Laboratory Medical Director
Re: Discontinuing Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 IgM Testing

As of June 26, 2023, Willis-Knighton Health System will be discontinuing Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 IgM testing. As you may know, Mayo Clinic Laboratories discontinued this testing in October 2019, therefore testing was moved to Quest, however we have received notification from Quest that they will also be discontinuing this test. Their decision to remove HSV 1/2 IgM is based on expert consensus, reflected in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines. According to the CBC, “Immunoglobulin M (IgM) testing for HSV 1 and HSV 2 is not useful because IgM tests are not type specific and might be positive during recurrent genital or oral episodes of herpes.”

RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE SEROLOGY TESTS:
HSV 1/2 IgG testing will continue to be offered at Willis-Knighton Laboratories. IgG antibodies develop within 2 weeks of infection and remain indefinitely. Therefore, HSV IgG testing can be used to determine if a patient is, or has ever been, infected with the virus.

RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE PCR TESTS:
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies- Aiding in the rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, including qualitative detection of HSV DNA in nonblood clinical specimens. Specimen sources include: Body Fluid, Swab (Genital, Dermal, Ocular, Nasal, Throat, or Oral), Respiratory, Tissue or Urine (<1-month old infant).  Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood- Aiding in the rapid diagnosis of disseminated disease due to herpes simplex virus (HSV). Qualitative detection of HSV DNA. Specimen source: Lavender Top (EDTA) whole blood
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Molecular Detection, PCR, Spinal Fluid- Aids in the rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 infections of the central nervous system. Specimen source: CSF
If you have any questions, please contact our client services department at (318) 212-4400.