Hepatitis C Viral Load 

TEST NAME Hepatitis C Viral Load 
DISEASE/DISORDER Hepatitis C
ALTERNATE NAME(S) Hep C, HCV, HCV Viral Load
METHODOLOGY Hepatitis C viral load assay by nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) using the Aptima® HCV Quant Dx assay on the Hologic Panther System
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Specimens must be centrifuged within six (6) hours of collection. 
ORDERING INFORMATION

PTBMIS:

Test Order Code:     VLHCV

Test Order Description:     HCV VL Only

TDH-DLS Requisition:   PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition Form

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
  • Venipuncture
Specimen Collection
  • Acceptable specimen types:    

- Serum in sterile, plastic, screw capped vial

- Serum separator tubes (SST)

  • At least 1200µl of specimen is required for testing. 
  • For serum specimens, allow clot to form before further processing. 
Specimen Processing
  • Centrifuge specimens  within six (6) hours of collection. 
Specimen Labeling
  • Specimen should be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying test order.
Specimen Storage and Preservation
  • Specimens may be stored: 
  • In the primary collection tube or secondary tube at 2°C to 30°C for up to 72 hours,
  • In the primary collection tube or secondary tube at 2°C to 8°C for up to 7 days, or
  • In the primary collection tube or secondary tube at -20°C (-15°C to -35°C) for up to 60 days.
  • Serum samples may be stored at -65°C to -85°C for up to 60 days in SATs
  • Avoid 3 or more freeze/thaw cycles.
Specimen Transportation
  • Specimens must be placed in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material and should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection. 
  • All specimens for an individual patient may be combined in one bag.
  • Specimen storage temperature must be maintained during transport. 
  • All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection
  • Specimens collected in unapproved tube types will be rejected. 
  • Specimen container was broken or leaked in transit will be rejected.
  • Specimens that are not indentified properly (i.e. information does not match the accompanying order) will be rejected.
  •  Specimens received >7 days post-collection will be rejected.
  •  If expiration date on collection tube is prior to collection date, specimen will be rejected.
  • Specimens with insufficient volumes of serum will be rejected.

Testing Location
  • Nashville
  • Knoxville