Hepatitis A Nucleic Acid Detection

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

HAVP

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8296

Laboratory Handling

Separating

PPT and SST tubes must be centrifuged and 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.

Sample Stability

Centrifuged SST and PPT tubes can be stored at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, the separated serum or plasma must be aliquoted into sterile tubes and must be frozen. Aliquoted EDTA can be stored at 2–8°C for up to 7 days, if storage exceeds 7 days

Synonyms

Hepatitis A PCR
HAV PCR
Hepatitis A Virus PCR

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test not performed on the weekend

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum
• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• PPT Plasma Preparation Tube (Pale Pink Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample Requirements:
Serum is the preferred sample type.
• SST and 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 transferred to a separate sterile tube.
• Send a minimum of 1.0 mL of separated plasma or serum.

Sample stability
• Separated serum or plasma is stable at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
• Samples that will exceed the 7-day refrigerated stability period must be frozen.
Transportation
• Only separated serum or plasma should be transported.
• Transport refrigerated at 2–8°C if the sample will be received within the 7-day refrigerated stability period.
• If the sample cannot be received within the 7-day refrigerated stability period, freeze and transport frozen

Test Method

Qualitative Real Time PCR (Detected/Not Detected).

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