Test Overview
Test Methodology

Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Test Usage

Measures the HCV viral load present at the time of specimen collection. Used as an aid to establish the pretreatment viral load in patients with documented, active hepatitis C infection and to monitor response to treatment.

Reference Range *

Not Detected (<12 IU/mL HCV RNA).

Test Limitations

A single assay result should not be used as the only criteria to form a clinical conclusion. Results should be correlated with serologic test results, patient symptoms and clinical presentation.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Varies; test performed twice per week
Analytic Time

8 hours

Soft Order Code
QHCV
MiChart Code
Hepatitis C RNA, Quantitative, PCR
Synonyms
  • HCV RNA
  • HCV RNA by PCR, Quantitative
  • HCV RNA Quantitative by PCR
  • HCV Viral load
  • Hepatitis C Viral Load
  • Hepatitis C Viral RNA, Quantitative Assay
  • Viral Load, Hepatitis C
  • QHCV
  • PCRHCV
  • HCV QUANTITATION, PCR
  • HEPATITIS C VIRUS BY PCR, QUAL
  • HCV RIBA Replacement Assay
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in a red top, or SST or lavender tube. Centrifuge for 20 minutes at 800-1600 xg at room temperature, aliquot EDTA plasma or serum into a polypropylene plastic vial within 6 hours of collection and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage. Do not allow frozen specimens to thaw at any time during storage or transport. Specimens submitted in polystyrene tubes are not acceptable. Specimens sent for Microbiology molecular testing require a dedicated sample and cannot be shared with other laboratories.

Rejection Criteria
Specimens received in polystyrene aliquot tubes are unacceptable and will be rejected.
Yellow Top Tube
Normal Volume
2 mL serum or EDTA plasma
Minimum Volume
1 mL serum or EDTA plasma
Storage Temperature
Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Additional Information

If the result is greater than 8.0 log10 IU/mL, a dilution of the sample will be run to determine an exact quantification. For MLabs, please contact client service center if actual viral load is needed. Specimen will be held for 1 month.

Billing
CPT Code
87522
Fee Code
32364
LOINC
11011-4
NY State Approved
No