Hepatitis C viral load

Diagnostic Use

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of liver disease. HCV is a positive-strand RNA virus and transmitted primarily through intravenous drug use.

There are about 1000 new cases of hepatitis C in NZ each year, with about 50,000 people living with the virus. Worldwide, about 200 million people have HCV.

Hepatitis C is the most common preventable cause of liver disease in New Zealand and is the leading cause of liver transplantation.

Maviret (Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) is now available and fully funded by PHARMAC as a treatment option for all genotypes.

Department

Microbiology - Virology

Delphic Registration Code

HCV2

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Dedicated EDTA tubes required, minimum 4mL whole blood

Registration

If sample arrives frozen, please ensure it does not thaw.

Separating

Please refer to separating guide in Additional Information section below

Laboratory

Testing available daily on routine weekdays.

Test Adds

Add-on requests for Viral load testing are only able to be performed if other plasma viral loads have been requested as dedicated sterile samples are required. Viral loads cannot be added to samples previously processed for CBC testing. Please call virology on ext 80356 to discuss..

Synonyms

Hep C RNA
Hepatitis C PCR
Hepatitis C RNA
HCV quantitation

Turnaround Time

5 days

Test Code

2298

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5.0

No of Samples Required

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

2.0

Pre-testing Requirements

EDTA samples for viral load testing must be received in the laboratory by 4.30pm on Friday.
Plasma must be separated within 24 hours of collection and stored chilled at 2-8 degrees or frozen at -70 degrees.
If testing will not be performed within 72 hours of separating, sample must be frozen.

Additional Specimen Information

After testing is complete samples are stored frozen for 6 months.
Resistance genotyping (NS5A) can be added to a sample if there is sufficient volume and testing requirements are met. Please call Virology to discuss add-on testing.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

2.0

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

EDTA samples for viral load testing must be received in the laboratory by 4.30pm on Friday.
Plasma must be separated within 24 hours of collection and stored chilled at 2-8 degrees or frozen at -70 degrees.
If testing will not be performed within 72 hours of separating, sample must be frozen.

Reference Intervals

Results are reported as International Units (IU)/mL

Test Method

HCV RNA quantitation by PCR. Abbott Alinity m automated platform.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$199.28 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

2298

Test Availability - Turnaround times are based on longest expected results received end of week and tested following week. Expect samples received M-Th to have 48 hr turnaround. Testing is performed on Abbott Alinity M platform.

Resources

• Viral Load collection guide (198 KB)

Contact Information

Enquiry Form