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Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Hepatitis C viral load

Specimen Collection

Pre Testing Requirements

Requires dedicated blood tubes (no other tests requested).

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

Store whole blood at 2-25 degrees for no longer than 24 hours.

Adult Specimen

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 HCV V.2.0

Unit of measurement

IU/mL and log

Uncertainty of measurement

0.0553

Diagnostic Use Or Instructions

  • Clinicians should try to identify patients with raised LFTs due to chronic  viral hepatitis,
  • All HBsAg-positive pregnant women should have their HBV viral load measured,
  • All HCV PCR-positive patients should be referred to a specialist, for consideration of treatment with oral direct acting antiviral therapies (DAA).
  • New Zealand wide Many HBsAg-positive patients are not being properly followed up or referred, and stand the risk of developing preventable liver disease.
  • Anti-HCV antibody is present in almost all those infected with HCV, but depending on the age and sex at acquisition, only 70-80% will have active viral replication.
  • A viral load test is needed to identify actively infected patients.
  • Like HIV, the antibodies are non-neutralising, i.e. do not control infection.
  • The emphasis in Hepatitis C management is to identify patients so they can be treated with oral direct-acting therapies (DAA).
  • Do not repeat Hepatitis C virus antibody testing in patients with a previous positive Hepatitis C virus (HCV) test. Instead, order Hepatitis C viral load testing for assessment of active versus resolved infection.
  • Do not repeat hepatitis C viral load testing in an individual who has established chronic infection, outside of antiviral treatment.
  • Do not repeat HBV or HCV studies without considering the significance of prior testing 

Interpretation

The is standardised against the WHO International Standard NIBSC 97/798

Minimum Volume

1mL plasma or serum