Hepatitis C Viral RNA, Quant, Real-Time PCR

Message

Plasma MUST be poured off (refrigerated or frozen)
Do NOT use tube already used for rapid HIV testing
Must send result with specimen

Test Code

HCPCRQT

Alias/See Also

Hepatitis C Viral Load

CPT Codes
87522

Preferred Specimen

2.0 mL plasma from lavendar-top (EDTA) tube

Instructions

NOTE: Centrifuge and transfer plasma from whole blood within 24 hours of collection to a screw-cap plastic tube.

See link below for specimen details, methodology, setup schedule and reference ranges.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated or Frozen

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated (2-8 C): 6 days
Frozen (-20 C): 6 weeks

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

FDA Status
FDA-modified

Setup Schedule

Days: Monday through Friday

Report Available

2-4 days

Limitations

This test has only been validated for use with EDTA plasma and serum. Testing of other samples may result in accurate results.
Quantitation of HCV RNA is dependent on the number of virus particles present in the sample and may be effected by sample collection methods, patient factors (i.e., age, presence of symptoms), and/or stage of infection.
Though, rare, mutations within the highly conserved regions of a viral genome covered by the cobas HCV may affect primer and/or probe binding resulting in the under-quantitation of virus or failure to detect the presence of virus.

Reference Range

<15 IU/mL (<1.18 Log IU/mL)

Clinical Significance

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major cause of hepatitis. The clinical symptoms of an HCV infection are variable. Infection with HCV results in a chronic infection in 50 to 80% of cases. The "window" between HCV acquisition and seroreactivity is highly variable; up to six months.

Hepatitis C testing should be initiated with a Hepatitis C antibody test, total. People testing anti‑HCV Ab positive should have follow-up testing with a nucleic acid test (NAT) for the detection of HCV RNA.

Performing Laboratory
Performed at Sonora Quest Laboratory (SQL test code 905541)

Additional Information
Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

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.