Test Code LAB887 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR)
Performing Laboratory
BJH Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: Serum or Plasma
Collection Container/Tube: Serum SST or EDTA
Specimen Minimum Volume: Minimum of 2 mL of whole blood in a dedicated Serum SST or EDTA tube
**Facilities outside of BJH should submit a minimum of 1 mL of serum or plasma.
Collection Instructions:
- Spin down and separate serum or plasma from cells within 24 hours of collection.
- Serum or plasma should be stored at 2-8°C or -20°C upon separation. Please see Specimen Stabiity Information for additional details.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Friday
Turnaround Time:
STAT: Director approval required
Routine: 3 to 5 business days
Test Classification and CPT Coding
This assay is FDA cleared for quantitative HCV RNA testing on plasma and its performance has been evaluated by the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory.
87522
Additional Information
Assay Limit of Detection
15 IU/mL
Assay Quantitative Range
15 IU/mL - 100,000,000 IU/mL.
For BJH Laboratory Use Only
Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Specimens should be delivered to the BJH MID laboratory. Specimen is stored frozen at the BJH MID lab for 21 days.
Specimen Stability Information
Serum or plasma specimens may be stored under the following conditions:
Prior to separation:
- Room temperature for up to 24 hours.
Following separation of plasma or serum from whole blood:
- 2 to 25° C for up to 24 hours.
- 4° C for up to 72 hours.
- -20° C to -80° C for up to 6 months.
Methodology
Testing is performed by real-time PCR on the cobas® 6800 platform using the cobas®HCV Assay (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.).
Reference Values
Not Detected.
Specimen Transport Instructions
Whole blood specimens should be delivered to the BJH MID laboratory within 24 hours of collection for processing.