Indications for Testing

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA (viremia status).

Diagnostic indications:

Indeterminate anti-HCV serological results

REACTIVE anti-HCV assessment of viremia (autoreflex testing by labortaory)

Follow-up of infants born to HCV-infected mothers (at 2- 6 months of age)

Acute HCV infection suspected prior to seroconversion (seroconversion typically occur only after 4 – 6 months)

 

Aliases

• HCV RNA
• HCV PCR
• HCV Quantification
• HCV RNA Quantitation
• HCV Viral load
• Hepatitis C Viral Load
• Hepatitis C Quantitation

 

Specimen

Specimen Type	Whole Blood		Plasma/Serum
Specimen Volume	Minimum volume of Whole Blood required is 3ml		Minimum volume of Plasma/Serum required is 1ml
Reject Due To	Anticoagulants other than EDTA	Hemolysis		Lipemia	Icteric
Notice	The samples should be stored for not more than 1 days at 2-8°C. For longer delay, freeze at -70°C or below and transport on dry ice. Whole blood must be processed within 6 hours after collection.

 

Clinical Information

Hepatitis C virus PCR is useful in establishing the diagnosis of acute/active HCV infection in seropositive individuals. HCV RNA PCR may also be used to diagnose acute infection in seronegative individuals because HCV RNA can be detected as early as 1 week after exposure via needlestick or transfusion and at least 4 – 6 weeks prior to seroconversion.

Given the asymptomatic nature of most acute HCV infections, the majority of patients present symptomatically, in the chronic phase. The diagnosis of chronic HCV infection is established with antibody screening tests to document infection and HCV RNA PCR to document virus replication. HCV RNA PCR is particularly advisable for those patients with potential impaired humoral immunity before excluding the diagnosis of chronic HCV infection.

Interpretation

DETECTED: Hepatitis C virus RNA detected indicative of viremia and infectiousness.

NOT DETECTED: Hepatitis C virus RNA was not detected indicating absence of viremia. A single negative HCV RNA PCR should not be used to exclude viremia. A repeat HCV RNA PCR should be ordered to confirm absence of intermittent viremia.

HCV RNA PCR

Method Description

The Realtime PCR HCV RNA Test Taqman Technology:

Status	Days	Analytic Time	Maximum Laboratory Time
Routine	Everyday	8h	1days