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Test Code HCV Hepatitis C Antibody (Anti-HCV)

Important Note

Reflexes to HCV viral load if positive

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital-Virology Laboratory        304-388-9618

Specimen Requirements

Plasma-Lavender-Top (EDTA)- 2 Tubes

Centrifuge and remove plasma within 8 hours of collection

6 mL of plasma (minimum 3 mL) 

Specimen Rejection

  • Hemolyzed serum
  • Failure to follow laboratory specimen collection, labeling, transport or storage policies.
  • Serum subject to repeat freeze thaw cycles.

Storage and Stability

Room Temperature Up to 8 hours
Refrigerate (Plamsa) > 8 hours to 5 days
Freeze > 5 days before testing

Reference Values

Specimen with absorbance values less than the cutoff are considered nonreactive. Specimens with absorbance values greater than or equal to the cutoff value are considered initially reactive and are then retested. Specimens that repeat reactive are then reported out as reactive. Reactive results are followed up with HCVVL Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Quantitation by bDNA (Viral Load), Blood or Plasma and/or 80181 Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (Anti-HCV) by Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA), Serum.

Interpretation depends on clinical setting. See Hepatitis Serological Profile Interpretation Guide in Special Instructions.

Methodology

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Sunday, Must be in Virology by 8AM to be included in that days run.

Results available same day as testing performed.

May be collected any time-no patient preparation required.

CPT Coding

86803

Special Instructions

Additional Information

Reactive samples are tested for hepatitis C viral RNA by the ultra sensitive translation mediated assay, which detects 10 copies / mL of hepatitis C viral RNA.  RNA positive samples are quantitated by bDNA and have genotyping performed.  If hepatitis C RNA is not detected by the ultra sensitive test, the specimen is referred for the RIBA supplemental test.  The RIBA is a supplemental test because it uses the same antigen as the immunoassay.  It will be reported as positive, negative or indeterminate.  If the sample is indeterminate, repeat testing in 2-6 months is recommended.