Hepatitis C (HCV) Viral Load

Test Code

HCVR

Quest Code

35645

CPT Codes
87522

Preferred Specimen

3 mL plasma collected in EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in PPT potassium (white-top) tubes • Serum

Instructions

Do not freeze whole blood or any samples stored in primary tube. Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be stored at 2-25° C for up to 24 hours prior to centrifugation. Separate plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection by centrifugation. Follow manufacturer's instructions for collection tube handling.

Transport Container

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 84 days

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

Whole blood samples >24 hours old • Frozen whole blood

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 2 days

Reference Range

HCV RNA, QN, Real-Time PCR	Not detected	Log IU/mL
HCV RNA, QN, Real-Time PCR	Not detected	IU/mL

Clinical Significance

Useful in monitoring therapy and/or disease progression. Reportable range is 15 to 100,000,000 IU/mL (1.18-8.00 log IU/mL)

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.