HCV Viral load

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

HCVL

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8937

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

A dedicated specimen (i.e. no other tests to be performed) is required for this assay. PPT tube is preferred; SST and EDTA whole blood is acceptable.

Transport

Transport specimens at ambient temperature on the day of collection. If same-day transport is not possible, store and transport chilled at 2–8°C.

Registration

If FBC and Molecular testing are both requested and only one micro-EDTA tube is received, prioritise the specimen for FBC testing and forward a “Query Correct Specimen” form to VIM.

Separating

PPT/SST tubes must be centrifuged and the plasma/serum separated within 6 hours of collection.

Laboratory

Micro EDTA whole blood and centrifuged PPT/SST tubes 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

EDTA whole blood: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. PPT/SST: Tubes must be centrifuged and plasma/serum separated within 6 hours of collection. Separated plasma/serum is stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, the plasma/serum must be frozen at ≤−20°C.

Associated Tests

• HCV Drug Resistance
• Hepatitis C Serology (Anti HCV) (Blood)

Synonyms

HCV Viral Load
Hepatitis C Viral Load
HCV RNA
HCV Quantitative PCR
Hepatitis C Virus Quantitative PCR

Turnaround Time

4 days

Test is performed twice weekly and is not performed on weekends.

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum
• Whole Blood

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)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.7

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1.5

Additional Specimen Information

The preferred plasma volume is 650 µL for routine high-volume testing. If insufficient volume is available, small-volume testing can be performed using a minimum of 350 µL of plasma.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.7

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirements:
PPT is the preferred specimen type. SST and plasma separated from EDTA whole blood, including EDTA Micro collect tubes, acceptable.
PPT and SST tubes must be centrifuged and plasma/serum 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 or serum.
Sample stability:
PPT/SST: Tubes must be centrifuged and plasma/serum separated within 6 hours of collection. Separated plasma/serum is stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
EDTA plasma: EDTA whole blood must be centrifuged and plasma transferred to a sterile secondary tube within 6 hours of collection. Separated plasma is stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
If storage exceeds 7 days, separated plasma/serum 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

Quantitative HCV viral load testing using the Roche cobas 6800 HCV assay

Limitations / Interference

The linear range of the assay is:
650 µL sample volume: 15–100,000,000 HCV RNA IU/mL (1.18–8.00 log IU/mL).
350 µL sample volume: 40–100,000,000 HCV RNA IU/mL (1.60–8.00 log IU/mL).

Results are reported as HCV RNA IU/mL and log IU/mL.

Uncertainty of Measurement

+/- 0.01 log IU/ml

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