ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative, Real-Time PCR : 0098268

Mnemonic: HEPCQNT

Methodology: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 6 mL serum separator tube, PPT, or one 5 mL lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA).

Transport:  2 mL serum or plasma, frozen. (Min: 0.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.  Specimens collected in a PPT should be submitted in original container.

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.


Pediatric Collection/Transport:  0.25 mL serum or plasma, frozen.

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.


Remarks:  CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.  Separate serum or plasma from cells within four hours. 

Unacceptable Conditions:  Nonfrozen, heparinized, thawed, or refrozen specimens. Polystyrene tubes.

Stability:  Ambient: 4 hours (on cells); Plasma or serum removed from cells within four hours can be refrigerated and frozen as follows: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 4 months
Reference Interval:
Not Detected
Interpretive Data: The quantitative range of this assay is 2.3 log IU/mL and greater.  Results between 1.9 and 2.3 log IU/mL (75 to 200 IU/mL) will be reported as "HCV RNA detected below the limit of quantitation.". 

An interpretation of "Not Detected" does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or hepatitis C virus RNA concentrations below the level of detection of the assay. Care should be taken when interpreting any single viral load determination.

This assay should not be used for blood donor screening, associated re-entry protocols, or for screening Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P).


Please refer to Statement A in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory.
Note: This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers as an indicator of disease prognosis.  This test is also used in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment as measured by changed in HCV RNA levels.  A qualitative PCR assay with a detection limit of 1.7 log IU/mL (50 IU/mL) is available for the assessment of lower levels of HCV viremia, (refer to test Hepatitis C Virus RNA Qualitative PCR 0098264).
CPT Code(s): 87522
 
 

 

 

 
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