Specialty Testing in Virology

UW Virology Testing

The University of Washington (UW) Virology Laboratory offers comprehensive diagnostic testing for clinical care while serving as a trusted partner for clinical trials, translational research, and public health programs.

Herpes Simplex Western Blot: World's only provider of the gold standard serologic assay for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies Herpes Simplex Western Blot [HSWB].
Hepatitis B Testing: Comprehensive molecular and serologic testing, including HBV Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Quantitative, Monitoring [HBSAGQ] and Hepatitis B DNA, Quantitative [HBVQNT].
Tissue-Based Viral Diagnostics: Specialized molecular testing for frozen tissue, FFPE, and dried blood spot specimens.
Quantitative CMV Dried Blood Spot Assay: Unique to the University of Washington for congenital CMV testing - CMV Quant by PCR, Blood Spots [CMVBSQ]
Clinical Trial Services: Extensive experience supporting global clinical trials, including assay development, validation, biomarker testing, and central laboratory services.

More information regarding the collection of virology samples can be found HERE.

Herpes Viruses

The UW Virology Laboratory is the world's only clinical provider of the Herpes Simplex Western Blot [HSWB], the gold standard serologic assay for detecting HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies. We are also one of only two U.S. clinical laboratories offering diagnostic testing for Human Herpes 6 Virus Chromosome Integration and Typing [HH6ABC].

Molecular Detection of Herpesviridae

• CMV Quantitative by PCR [CMVQN] / CMV Qualitative by PCR, Tissue/Cells [CMVQLT]
• EBV Quantitative by PCR [EBVQ] / EBV by PCR Qualitative, Tissue /Cells [EBVQLT]
• HSV SemiQnt Rapid PCR, Swab/CSF [RPDHSV]
• HSV Type 1 & 2 Quant PCR, Blood/Eye Fluid [HS12QN] / HSV Type 1 & 2 Qual PCR, Tissue [HS12QL]
• HHV6 Quantitative by PCR [HH6QN] / HHV6 Qualitative by PCR, Tissue /Cells [HH6QLT]
• Human Herpes 6 Virus Chromosome Integration and Typing [HH6ABC]
• HHV8 PCR, Quantitative [HH8QN] / Human Herpes Virus Type 8 by PCR Qualitative Tissue or Cells [HH8QLT]
• Varicella Zoster Quantitative by PCR [VZVQN] / Varicella Zoster Qualitative by PCR, Tissue or Cells [VZVQLT]
• Varicella Zoster Rapid PCR, Swab or CSF [VZVRPD]

Serological Detection of Herpesviridae

• Cytomegalovirus Antibody Screen [CMVS]
• EBV Serology [EBVEIA]
• Herpes Simplex Western Blot [HSWB]
• Varicella Zoster Immune Status [VZIS]

Hepatitis

Our laboratory offers molecular and serologic testing for hepatitis viruses, including quantitative HBsAg, HBV DNA, HCV viral load testing, HCV genotyping, and reflex testing algorithms to support diagnosis, disease monitoring, and clinical management.

Molecular Detection of Hepatitis

• Hepatitis B DNA, Quantitative [HBVQNT]
• Hepatitis C RNA, Quantitative [HCVQNT]
• Hepatitis C RNA Genotyping by PCR [HCPCGT]

Serological Detection of Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A Immune Status (IgG) [HAVIGG]
• Hepatitis A Acute Ab (IgM) [HAVIGM]
• Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HBcAb) [HBCA] w/ reflex to Hepatitis B Core Ab w/Rflx IgM [HBCAR]
• Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen and Antibody [HBE]
• Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb) [HBSA]
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) with reflex to PCR for REACTIVE [HBSAG]
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen without PCR reflex for REACTIVE [HBSAGX]
• HBV Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Quantitative, Monitoring [HBSAGQ]
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen & Antibody (HBsAg, HBsAb) [HBSS]
• Hepatitis B Battery [HBB]
• Hepatitis C Antibody with Reflex to PCR [HCAB]
• Hepatitis C Antibody without PCR reflex on reactive samples [HCABX]

HIV

Our HIV testing includes screening, confirmatory testing, viral load monitoring, and genotypic resistance testing in accordance with CDC-recommended testing algorithms. Specialized assays include HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral load testing and HIV-1 genotypic and integrase resistance testing.

Molecular Detection of HIV

• HIV 1 DNA Assay [HV1DNA]
• HIV1 RNA Quantitation [HRTABB]
• HIV_2 RNA Quantitation [HIV2VL]
• HIV Genotypic Resistance Assay [HIVGRA]
• HIV Integrase Resistance Assay [HVINTA]

Serological Detection of HIV

• HIV Antigen and Antibody Screen [HVAGAB]
• HIV 1/2 Antibody Confirmation [HIV12C]

Respiratory Viruses

Comprehensive molecular diagnostics are available for respiratory viruses, including influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, SARS-CoV-2, and highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5). Our laboratory has extensive expertise in assay development, including molecular PCR assays for influenza A (H5) and one of the first clinically available SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic assays in the United States.

Molecular Detection of Respiratory Viruses

• Influenza A H5 Subtyping by PCR [FLUH5]
• Influenza A, B & RSV PCR Panel [FLURSV]
• Parainfluenza PCR Panel [FUSPIV]
• Adeno/Metapneumo/Rhino Virus PCR Panel [FUSAMR]
• Coronavirus (Non SARS CoV2) PCR Panel [FUSCOV]
• Respiratory Virus PCR Panel (no SARS-CoV-2) [REVSQF] - includes Influenza A, B & RSV PCR Panel [FLURSV], Parainfluenza PCR Panel [FUSPIV], Adeno/Metapneumo/Rhino Virus PCR Panel [FUSAMR], Coronavirus (Non SARS CoV2) PCR Panel [FUSCOV]
• SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Qualitative PCR [NCVQLT] also performed on “other” sample types like CSF, stool etc.

Tissue Testing

Specialized molecular diagnostics are available for frozen tissue, biopsy specimens, FFPE tissue, and dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Our laboratory offers comprehensive tissue-based viral testing and a quantitative CMV dried blood spot assay unique to the University of Washington.

Molecular Detection of Viruses in Tissues

• Adenoviruses by PCR Qualitative, Tissue or Cells [ADVQLT]
• Parvovirus B19 by PCR Qualitative Tissue or Cells [B19QLT]
• BK Virus by PCR Qualitative [BKVQL]
• CMV Qualitative by PCR, Tissue/Cells [CMVQLT]
• CMV Quant by PCR, Blood Spots [CMVBSQ]
• EBV by PCR Qualitative, Tissue /Cells [EBVQLT]
• Entero/parechovirus by PCR Qualitative [EPVQLT]
• Hepatitis B Qualitative PCR, Tissue [HBVQLT]
• Hepatitis C Qualitative PCR, Tissue [HCVQLT]
• HHV6 Qualitative by PCR, Tissue /Cells [HH6QLT]
• Human Herpes Virus Type 8 by PCR Qualitative Tissue or Cells [HH8QLT]
• HSV Type 1 & 2 Qual PCR, Tissue [HS12QL]
• JC Virus Qualitative PCR, Tissue [JCVQLT]
• Varicella Zoster Qualitative by PCR, Tissue or Cells [VZVQLT]

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Timely sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing supports effective patient care, limits transmission, and helps prevent serious reproductive and systemic health consequences. In addition to viral STI testing, the UW Virology Laboratory provides molecular detection of bacterial pathogens associated with some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. In response to the 2022 mpox (formerly called monkeypox) outbreak, the UW Virology research team developed and validated a sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for mpox virus DNA detection. The clinical laboratory subsequently expanded testing capacity, enabling diagnostic result reporting six days per week during the peak of the outbreak.

Molecular Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections

• Bacterial Vaginosis Nucleic Acid Detection [BVAGAD]
• Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [CHLAD]
• Vulvovaginal Candida Nucleic Acid Detection [CVAD]
• Vulvovaginal Candida and Trichomonas Nucleic Acid Detection [CVTVAD]
• N.gonorrhoeae(GC) Nucleic Acid [GCAD]
• GC (N. gonorrhoeae) and CT (Chlamydia trachomatis) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [GCCTAD]
• Mpox Virus Qualitative PCR [MPXQLT]
• Trichomonas vaginalis Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [TRICAD]
• HSV Type 1 & 2 Quant PCR, Blood/Eye Fluid [HS12QN] / HSV Type 1 & 2 Qual PCR, Tissue [HS12QL]
• HSV SemiQnt Rapid PCR, Swab/CSF [RPDHSV]

Comprehensive Viral Diagnostics

Specialized molecular, serologic, and sequencing-based diagnostics are available for a broad range of clinically significant viral pathogens. Our laboratory offers advanced testing for emerging infectious diseases, including measles virus, as well as antiviral resistance testing for CMV, HSV, and HIV to support therapeutic management and clinical decision-making. Additional serologic testing includes mumps, measles, rubella, and SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays.

Molecular Testing

• Adenoviruses, PCR Quantitative [ADVQN] / Adenoviruses by PCR Qualitative, Tissue or Cells [ADVQLT] / Adenovirus by PCR Quantitative, Urine [UADVQN]
• Parvovirus B19 by PCR, Quantitative [B19PCQ] / Parvovirus B19 by PCR Qualitative Tissue or Cells [B19QLT]
• BK Virus by PCR Quantitative [BKVQN] / BK Virus by PCR Qualitative [BKVQL] / BK Virus_PCR Quant, URN [UBKVQN]
• Candida auris Qualitative PCR [CAQLT]
• Entero/parechovirus by PCR Qualitative [EPVQLT]
• JC Virus by PCR Quantitative [JCVQN] / JC Virus Qualitative PCR, Tissue [JCVQLT] / JC Virus by PCR Quantitative, Urine [UJCVQN]
• Measles Virus Qualitative PCR [MEVQLT] (Measles Guideline)

Serological Testing

• Mumps Immune Status [MPIS]
• Quantiferon TB Gold Plus [QFTB4]
• Rubeola (Measles) Immune Status [RBIS]
• Rubella Immune Status Viral Serology [RUIS]
• SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, IgG Immune Status (Nucleocapsid & Quant. anti-Spike) [NCVIGB]
• SARS CoV 2 Nucleocapsid Antibody, IgG [NCVIGG]
• SARS CoV 2 Spike Antibody, IgG [NCVIGQ]

Sequencing

• CMV Letermovir Resistance, UL56 [CMVDRL]
• CMV UL97 and UL54 Drug Resistance Seq [CMVDRS]
• CMV Drug Resistance, Rapid UL97, UL54 and UL56 [CMVULR]
• CMV PCR Qnt w/reflex UL97 and UL54 Seq [CMVRFR]
• HSV Acyclovir Resistance with Rapid PCR, Swab/CSF [HSVDRR]
• HSV Acyclovir Resistance with Quant PCR, Blood/Eye Fluid [HSVDRQ]
• HIV Genotypic Resistance Assay [HIVGRA]
• HIV Integrase Resistance Assay [HVINTA]

Clinical Trial Services

The UW Virology Laboratory provides end-to-end laboratory support for clinical trials, including assay development, analytical validation, biomarker testing, central laboratory services, and regulatory-compliant testing to support therapeutic development.