Hepatitis C Antibody

Test Code

HCV

Alias/See Also

Included in Hepatitis Profile

CPT Codes
86803

Preferred Specimen

Serum (gold top tube)

Minimum Volume

1mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top tube)

Transport Container

Serum (gold top) or Lithium Heparin (green top) Tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 8 hours; Refrigeration - 48 hours

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Turbidity, Quantity Not Sufficient, IV contamination

Methodology
Chemiluminescence

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Limitations

A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HCV. HCV antibodies may be undetectable in some stages of the infection and in some clinical conditions. Follow CDC recommendations for supplemental testing of reactive samples. A negative test does not rule out other types of viral hepatitis.

Reference Range

Interpretation:

Negative: Anti-HCV IgG antibody is not detected. Patient is presumed not to be infected with HCV. A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HCV. HCV antibodies may be undetectable in some stages of the infection and in some clinical conditions. Follow CDC recommendations for supplemental testing of reactive samples. A negative test does not rule out other types of viral hepatitis

Equivocal: Concentration of Hepatitis C Antibodies is greater than the cutoff for a "Negative" result but less than the cutoff for a "Positive" result.

Positive: Anti-HCV IgG antibody is detected. Patient is presumed to be infected with HCV, state or associated disease not determined. Follow CBC recommendations for supplemental testing.

Clinical Significance

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is now known to be the causative agent for most, if not all, blood-borne non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). Studies throughout the world indicate that HCV is transmitted through contaminated blood and blood products, through blood transfusions or through other close, personal contacts. The presence of anti-HCV indicates that an individual may have been infected with HCV and may be capable of transmitting HCV infection.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.