Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Hepatitis C viral load

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

EDTA plasma (preferred) or serum.

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.

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