ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0055593: Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping by PCR & Sequencing |
| Test Mnemonic: HEPCGENO | |
|
Methodology: Polymerase Chain Reaction/Nucleic Acid Sequencing
Performed: Tue-Sat Reported: 3-7 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
|
Collect: One 6 mL SST, lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), or one 5 mL beige (PPT).
Transport: 2 mL serum or plasma, frozen. (Min: 0.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Pediatric Collection/Transport: Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Remarks: CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. This test may be unsuccessful if the HCV RNA viral load is less than 1,000 HCV RNA copies per mL of plasma. Unacceptable Conditions: Nonfrozen or heparinized specimens. Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 30 minutes; Refrigerated: 2 hours; Frozen: 4 months |
|
| Reference Interval: |
| By report |
| Interpretive Data: | |
|
Isolates of hepatitis C virus are grouped into six major genotypes. These genotypes are subtyped according to sequence characteristics and are designated as 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a, and 6a. Reports suggest that patient prognosis and disease course may be genotype dependent. For example, hepatitis C virus type 1 and type 4 infections may be associated with more severe disease and decreased responsiveness to therapy. In addition, types 2 and 3 may be treated with shorter durations of therapy. HCV RNA is assayed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify a specific portion of the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of the hepatitis C virus. The amplified nucleic acid is sequenced bidirectionally using dye-terminator chemistry (ABI). Results are based on comparison with a database derived from GenBank sequences and published information. Please refer to Statement B in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 87902 |