Test Details

Mnemonic

AHPR

Ordering Code

3001485

CPT-4 Code(s)

80074, plus 87522 if reflexed to HCV PCR, at additional cost

Specimen Information

Collect

Serum separator tube (SST), Lavender EDTA - Both specimens required

Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge, separate serum from cells and send 4.0 mL serum refrigerated and 3.0 mL plasma in screw capped plastic vials. Serum should be labeled with AHP label and plasma with HCVFR label.

Alternate Specimen

Red top or lavender EDTA
Plasma may be substituted for serum

Minimum Volume

SST: 2.0 mL serum
EDTA: 2.5 mL plasma

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Rejection Criteria

Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens, heparinized plasma, shared specimens, specimens subjected to repeated freeze/thaw

Stability

Serum:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen (-20°C): 14 days

Plasma:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen (-20°C): 60 days
Frozen (-70°C): 60 days

Methodology

AHP Methodology: Chemiluminescence

HCV RNA, PCR Methodology: Reactive specimens are tested for HCV RNA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from Abbott Molecular. The amplification target is a conserved region of the HCV genome. The lower limit of quantitation is 12 IU/mL (1.08 Log IU/mL) and the upper limit of quantitation is 100 million IU/mL (8.00 Log IU/mL). The qualitative limit of detection is 12 IU/mL (1.08 Log IU/mL). Specimens reported as "DETECTED" but <12 IU/mL contain detectable levels of Hepatitis C RNA but the viral load is below the quantitation. A "Not detected" result does not rule out infection.
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Reference Range

Hepatitis A IgM Antibody Negative
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Negative
Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody Negative
Hepatitis C Antibody Screen Nonreactive
HCV RNA, Qualitative Not detected
HCV RNA, Quantitative <12 IU/mL
Log HCV IU/mL <1.08 Log IU/mL
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Performing Laboratory

Warde Medical Laboratory
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