HCV Drug Resistance

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

HCGEN

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8717

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

A dedicated specimen (i.e. no other tests to be performed) is required for this assay.

Registration

If an FBC and a Molecular assay are requested and only one EDTA tube is received, send the EDTA tube for FBC testing and send a Query Correct Specimen form to VIM. If a Micromple and a full EDTA tube are received for both FBC and Molecular testing, send the Micro sample for FBC testing and retain the EDTA tube for the Molecular assay

Separating

PPT tubes must be centrifuged and separated within 6 hours of collection. EDTA tubes must be centrifuged within 6 hours of collection, and the plasma aliquoted into a separate sterile tube. Send a minimum of 1.0 mL of separated plasma.

Laboratory

Separated plasma samples: should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.

Sample Stability

Separated plasma can be stored at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, the separated plasma must be frozen.

Associated Tests

• HCV Viral load

Synonyms

HCV Drug Resistance
Hepatitis C Drug Resistance
NS5A Resistance

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• PPT Plasma Preparation Tube (Pale Pink Cap)

Acceptable

• PPT Plasma Preparation Tube (Pale Pink Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Pre-testing Requirements

A recent viral load result obtained within the past month, with a minimum viral load of 3 log₁₀ IU/mL, is required.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

1

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirements:
PPT is the preferred specimen type. Plasma separated from EDTA whole blood, including EDTA Micro collect tubes, are acceptable.
PPT tube must be centrifuged and plasma separated within 6 hours of collection.
EDTA tubes must be centrifuged within 6 hours of collection and the plasma transferred to a separate sterile tube.
Submit a minimum of 1.0 mL of separated plasma.

Sample stability:
PPT tubes with separated plasma are stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, plasma should be aliquoted and frozen at ≤−20°C.
Plasma aliquots separated from EDTA whole blood are stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, aliquots should be frozen at ≤−20°C.

Transport:
Transport separated plasma chilled at 2–8°C if it will be received within 7 days of collection. If this period will be exceeded, transport the specimen frozen.

Test Method

PCR amplification using the ABL HCV Drug Resistance kit, followed by Illumina next-generation sequencing and sequence analysis using ABL DeepChek software to detect HCV resistance-associated mutations.

Urgent enquiries:
In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries:
Email: AK-MOL-INF-DIS@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Contact Information