HCV Viral Load

Brief Description

The Abbott Real–Time HCV assay is an in vitro reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the quantification of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in human serum from HCV infected individuals.

Laboratory Unit

Immunology

Methodology

RT-PCR

Specimen Collection

Serum:

Collect in gold top SST tube, centrifuge

Collect in tiger top SST tube, centrifuge

Storage/Transport

Serum separated from the clot can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 72 hours after collection. 

Serum separated from the clot can stored frozen (-20°C or colder) for up to 60 days or -70°C or colder after 60 days and shipped with dry ice.

• FRM-QA 4 Refrigeration Outfit Guide

Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

Serum

Test Request

• GPHL Apollo Web Portal
• Web Portal Instructions
• For manual orders, download the GPHL Submission Form

Possible Results

• HCV RNA copies/ml
• Not detected
• Unsatisfactory

Reference Range

Not detected

Unacceptable Conditions

• Missing testing requisition
• Missing minimum of 2 patient identifiers
• Improper labeling
• Not approved for testing by the indicated method, e.g., blood for VDRL.
• Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, turbid, or contaminated
• Specimens broken, damaged, or leaking upon arrival
• Specimen received unspun
• Specimens not frozen within 72 hours
• Specimens not collected in SST tubes for viral load testing 

Interfering Substances

Lipemic, Hemolyzed, Icteric, Microbial growth, or contaminated specimens

Result Reported

7-14 days

Fees

Fee Schedule

LOINC/Order Codes

50023-1 (Order code: 1490)