ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative bDNA : 0051811

Mnemonic: HCVRNA BC

Ordering Recommendation: Not recommended to confirm active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative, Real-Time PCR (0098268) is the preferred test following a high-positive HCV screen.
Methodology: Quantitative Branched Chain DNA
Performed: Mon, Thu
Reported: 3-8 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), plasma preparation tube, or serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 4 hours. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.2 mL).
PPT: Separate plasma from cells within 2 hours. Transport 1 mL plasma in original container. (Min: 0.2 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions: Heparinized specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): PPT: On Cells: Ambient: 2 hours. All others: On cells: Ambient 4 hours. After separation from cells; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen at -20°C: 72 hours; Frozen at -70°C: 4 months
Reference Interval:
Not detected
Interpretive Data: The quantitative range of this assay is 2.8-6.9 log IU/mL (615-7,690,000 IU/mL).

An interpretation of "Not Detected" does not rule out the presence of inhibitors in the patient specimen or hepatitis C virus RNA concentrations below the level of detection of the assay.  Care should be taken in the interpretation of any single viral load determination.  Low positive values may occasionally be seen in specimens from patients who are uninfected. 

This assay should not be used for blood donor screening, associated re-entry protocols, or for screening Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P).
Note: This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers as an indicator of disease prognosis. This test is also used as an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment as measured by changes in HCV RNA levels. A quantitative PCR assay with a detection limit of 1.2 log IU/mL (18 IU/mL), Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative, Real-Time PCR (0098268), is available for the assessment of lower levels of HCV viremia.
CPT Code(s): 87522
Cross References: HCV Quantitative bDNA (Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative bDNA)