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State Hygienic Laboratory

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Hepatitis C Virus Quantitative

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Test Description
  • Contact: Molecular Biology and Virology (319) 335-4279
  • Test Request Form: Iowa HHS Infectious Disease Test Request Form. This test is only orderable by Community-Based Screening Services (CBSS) and Integrated Testing Services (ITS) sites.
  • SHL OpenELIS Code: 1009
Hepatitis C Virus Detection and Quantification by NAAT
Panel Components
Hepatitis C Virus Quantitative
Performed Avg. Turnaround Time Method
Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F
7 - 10 business days Real-Time Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA)
Fee CPT Code(s)
No charge 87522
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: 1.2 mL or more serum or plasma preferred. A minimum of 0.7 mL is acceptable.
Collection Instructions: Whole blood can be stored at 2 degrees C to 30 degrees C and must be centrifuged within 6 hours of specimen collection. Separate the plasma or serum from the pelleted red blood cells following the manufacturer's instructions for the tube used.

Serum: Use serum tubes or serum separator tubes.
    Plasma: Use EDTA, ACD or plasma preparation tubes (PPT).
      Shipping:
      Specimens should be stored and shipped under the same conditions. Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Transport specimen with cold pack. Ship to the Coralville location.
      Temperature and Stability: Refrigerated (2-8°C); stable for 5 days.
      Rejection Criteria: Specimens will be rejected if received under these conditions:

      Whole blood, samples with less than 0.24 mL, leaking samples, samples greater than 5 days since collection. Samples that have been at room temperature for more than 24 hours.
      Expected Results:
      Hepatitis C Virus RNA: Not Detected/Invalid/Detected. Value in IU/mL for Detected only. Log10 Value for Detected only. Analytical Interpretation. Clinical Interpretation.
      Comments
      A positive initial Hepatitis C antibody screen is required for this test. Tests of Public Health Significance (TOPHS): All tests submitted to SHL at no charge as Tests of Public Health Significance (TOPHS) must come from State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-approved test sites, such as Community-Based Screening Services (CBSS) and Integrated Testing Services (ITS) sites. To qualify as TOPHS testing individuals must meet the following criterion. Only one criterion applies for HCV RNA testing: 1. Persons with reactive hepatitis C antibody results -- select "Previous related diagnosis/therapy" as an indicated risk. Only request this test on persons who are known to have a reactive HCV antibody result. The HCV RNA test is NOT a screening test and should not be requested unless an individual is known to have had a reactive HCV antibody result. A rapid reactive HCV antibody result, as well as documentation of past reactive HCV antibody results, are acceptable.
      Alternate Names
      Hep C Quant, HCV NAAT
      The University of Iowa

      State Hygienic Laboratory

      General inquires
      SHL Client Services
      319-335-4500 or 1-800-421-IOWA (4692)
      ask-shl@uiowa.edu

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