Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Virology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
HEV
Test Code (Numeric Code)
8742
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Preferred: EDTA blood tube or PPT. Acceptable: SST.
Registration
If an FBC and Molecular testing are both requested and only one EDTA tube is received, prioritise the
Separating
EDTA whole blood should be separated, and plasma aliquoted into dedicated labelled screw cap tubes. PPT and SST tubes must be centrifuged and separated within 6 hours of collection.
Laboratory
Samples should be sent to Molecular Infectious Diseases section during the normal working hours 8:00 am - 16:00 pm. During weekend and afterhours store, the samples at 2–8°C. in dedicated box/rack in ALSS.
Sample Stability
Plasma from 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, aliquot the plasma/serum into appropriately labelled secondary tubes and freeze at ≤−20°C.
Synonyms
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Nucleic Acid Detection
HEV PCR
Hepatitis E PCR
HEV RNA PCR
Turnaround Time
4 days
Tests performed as required.
Specimen Type
- Faecal
- Plasma
- Serum
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Acceptable
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
2
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
1
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- EDTA (Microtainer)
Acceptable
- Specimen Container
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
2
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
1
Additional Specimen Information
Preferred: EDTA blood tube minimum 1 mL
PPT plasma - minimum 0.5 mL
SST serum minimum 0.5 mL
For any other specimen types, please contact Clinical Virologist by email at AK-MOL-INF-DIS@adhb.govt.nz before sending the specimen.
Last updated: 30/08/2026