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Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Hepatitis B viral load

Synonyms

Hepatitis B DNA

Specimen Collection

Pre Testing Requirements

Requires dedicated blood tubes (no other tests requested).

Adult Specimen

2 mL EDTA plasma (preferred) or serum.

Instructions for Referral to Waikato Lab

Aliquot instructions

Spin sample down and 3/4 fill screw top nunc tubes with plasma and freeze within 24 hours of receipt. Use multiple nunc tubes as required. Specimens separated into thin-walled plastic tubes are unacceptable

Aliquot Transport

Transport at 2 - 8 degrees C if transport time from collection is less than 24 hours. Transport frozen if more than 24 hours.

Test Information

Department

Molecular Biology

Test Availability

Mon - Fri, 0800 - 1630 excl. Public Holidays

Laboratory Turnaround Time

Weekly

Method

COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HBV V.2.0

Unit of measurement

IU/mL and an exponential value.

Uncertainty of measurement

0.0391

Interpretation

The conversion factor between HBV copies/mL and HBV IU/mL is 5.82 copies/IU, using the WHO International Standard NIBSC 97/746

Minimum Volume

1mL plasma or serum