Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody with Reflex for HCV Antibody Verification

Additional Information:

UFHPL Epic order code: LAB2184D

References

  • Choo QL, Kuo G, Weiner AJ, et al. Isolation of a cDNA clone derived from a blood-borne non-A, non-B viral hepatitis genome. Science. 1989; 244(4902):359-362. PubMed 2523562
  • Di Bisceglie AM. Hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology., 1997; 26(3 Suppl 1):34S-38S.PubMed 9305661
  • Hepatitis C Past and Present. 2011 Case Definition. CDC CSTE Case Definition, Number 10-ID-09.
  • Koff RS, Dienstage JL. Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C and the association with alcoholic liver disease. Semin Liver Dis. 1995; 15(1):101-109.PubMed 7597440
  • Roche Anti-HCV. Package insert 2011-01.

CPT Code(s):

86803 (If reflex testing is performed, additional charges/CPT code(s) may apply.)

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Serum or plasma

Container/Tube: Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube or lavender-top tube (EDTA)
  • If a tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer the separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube.

Sample Volume: 1 mL

Storage: Refrigerate specimens immediately after collection.

Stability (collection to time of analysis/testing):

  • Ambient: 14 days
  • Refrigerated: 14 days
  • Frozen: 14 days
Rejection Criteria:

  • Non-EDTA plasma specimen
  • PST gel-barrier tube

Use:

Since as many as 90 percent of commercial intravenous immunoglobulins test positive for hepatitis C antibody, an artifactual positive can result briefly after transfusion. Following the development of sensitive and specific testing for hepatitis B, 90 percent of post-transfusion hepatitis is now hepatitis C. A gene product (c100) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was isolated and an assay for anti-HCV developed. The assay detects antibody to presumptive togavirus which may be an etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (which may not be a unitary disease entity).

Limitations

Testing for HCV antibodies is to assess past or present exposure to hepatitis C virus infection. Additional testing for the hepatitis virus is required to determine acute or active infection.

Methodology:

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) reflex to electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA)

Reported:

5 - 8 business days

Performed:

Monday - Friday