Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Quantitative, RNA (Abbott® RealTime)
Also known as: Viral Load, Abbott, Real-time
Use
Determine the number of international units (IU) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA per milliliter of serum or plasma in known HCV-positive patients
Special Instructions
Collect specimen in red-top, serum separator (SST), lavender-top (EDTA), PPT™ or yellow-top (ACD-A) tubes. Centrifuge the specimen. If drawn in a red-top, EDTA or ACD tube, the serum or plasma must be transferred to a screw-cap polypropylene transport tube and frozen. Whole-blood specimens may be held at room temperature for four hours or refrigerated for 72 hours prior to centrifugation. Serum and plasma specimens may be stored at room temperature for 20 hours, refrigerated for 72 hours, frozen at -20°C for 60 days, or -70°C long term. Ship frozen on dry ice. Submit separate frozen specimens for multiple tests to avoid delays.
Limitations
The assay has a quantifiable range of 12 IU/mL to 100,000,000 IU/mL for HCV genotypes 1-6. The limit of detection for this assay is 12 IU/mL. Results below this level cannot be quantified, and results above this level may require further confirmatory testing to ascertain the viral load accurately.
Methodology
PCR-based (RT-PCR)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 11011-4
- 11011-4
- 38180-6
Result Turnaround Time
3-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport tube, centrifuged serum separator tube (SST) or centrifuged PPT™ tubes
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen in red-top, serum separator (SST), lavender-top (EDTA), PPT™ or yellow-top (ACD-A) tubes. Centrifuge specimen. If drawn in a red-top, EDTA or ACD, the serum or plasma must be transferred to a screw-cap polypropylene transport tube and frozen.
Storage Instructions
Freeze.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; plasma other than EDTA or ACD-A; specimen received in a "pop-top" or "snap-cap" tube; quantity not sufficient for analysis; whole blood; frozen glass tubes
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 20 hours |
| Refrigerated | 72 hours |
| Frozen | -20°C up to 60 days |