Hepatitis C viral load
Requires dedicated blood tubes (no other tests requested).
Store whole blood at 2-25 degrees for no longer than 24 hours.
EDTA plasma (preferred) or serum.
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
Transport at 2 - 8 degrees C if transport time from collection is less than 24 hours. Transport frozen if more than 24 hours.
Molecular Biology
Mon - Fri, 0800 - 1630 excl. Public Holidays
Weekly
COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HCV V.2.0
IU/mL and log
0.0553
Choosing Clinical Laboratory Tests Wisely Guidelines:
The is standardised against the WHO International Standard NIBSC 97/798
1mL plasma or serum