Specimen Requirements

Title

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA

Specimen Requirement

Collect SST or PPT, after 30 minutes of clotting, promptly centrifuge and send 2 mL serum/plasma refrigerated.

*DEDICATED SPECIMEN PREFERRED*

Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Stability

Room temp: 24 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 60 days

Reference Range

By Report

Turnaround

1-2 days

Clinical Use

The HCV RNA Viral Load assay is a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the quantitation of hepatitis C viral (HCV) RNA in human serum or plasma (EDTA) from HCV-infected individuals. This assay is intended for use as an aid in the management of HCV-infected patients undergoing antiviral therapy. The assay measures HCV RNA levels at baseline and during treatment and can be utilized to predict sustained and non-sustained virological response to HCV therapy. The results from the RT-HCV assay must be interpreted within the context of all relevant clinical and laboratory findings. The Abbott RT-HCV assay is not for screening blood, plasma, serum or tissue donors for HCV.

Test Code

HCVVL