Hepatitis C RNA Quantification by PCR




Test Mnemonic

HCQPCR

CPT Codes

  • 87522 - QTY (1)

LOINC ®

11011-4

Aliases

  • HCV Quant RNA by PCR
  • Hepatitis C Quantitative PCR
  • Hepatitis C Viral Load

Performing Laboratory

n/a


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
3 mLPlasmaEDTA PPT (White) RefrigeratedCentrifuge within 24 hours of collection. Sample must be aliquoted first if sample is to be frozen. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
3 mLSerumSST (Gold) RefrigeratedCentrifuge within 24 hours of collection. Sample must be aliquoted first if sample is to be frozen. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN.
3 mLPlasmaEDTA (Lavender) RefrigeratedCentrifuge within 24 hours. Aliquot into sterile transport tube. Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1.5 mL    Sample cannot be shared with a test performed outside of Molecular Microbiology. Sample can only be shared with CMVQNT, HCQPCR, HIVRNA, HBVDNU, EBVQNT, or BKQUAN.

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient24 hours
Refrigerated6 days
Frozen12 weeks

Days Performed

Mon - Fri

Turnaround Time

3 - 5 days

Methodology

Name Description
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Quant 
Reverse Transcription/Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT/PCR) 

Reference Range

HCV RNA (IU/mL)
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
~       IU/mL
Log HCV Quant RNA
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
~       log IU/mL

Special Info

Specimens collected in heparin cannot be used.

Clinical Info

The assay is intended for use as an aid in the management of HCV infected individuals undergoing anti-viral therapy, and results are to be interpreted within the context of all relevant clinical and labgoratory findings.

Clinical Limitation

The Linear range of this assay is 15 IU/ml to 100,000,000 IU/ml.