MIDL PCR Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping (HC5)
Department:
TEMPORARY SEND OUT-ARUP-CALL 615-875-5227 FOR INFO
Test Synonym(s): LAB915, HC5, Hep C typing, HCV typing, HCV GT
CPT Codes: 87902
Methodology: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Reference Range: No HCV RNA detected
Tube Type: 4 mL EDTA (Lavender) Vacutainer tube
Specimen: EDTA Plasma (Lavender top)
Alternate Specimen: Plasma from a lavendar top tube or serum from a red top tube. Plasma and serum should be spun and separated within 6 hours of collection. Other specimen sources need Medical Director approval.
Pediatric Requirements: 2 mL EDTA plasma
Volume: 4 mL EDTA plasma
Minimum Volume: 2 mL EDTA plasma
Temperature: Blood: Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours; Plasma: Refrigerated (2-8 C)-up to 6 days
Stability: Blood: Room temperature (15-25 C)-up to 24 hours; Plasma: Refrigerated (2-8 C)-up to 6 days
Reasons for Rejection: Alternative specimen sent without Medical Director approval
Days Performed: Thursday
Times Performed: Once every Thursday (batched)
TAT: 48 hours
Significance: HCV genotyping is recommended after diagnosis of HCV to help in selecting a therapeutic regimen and also to determine expected virological response and therefore outcome of therapy. The current guidelines for therapy suggest that patients infected with genotype 1 follow a longer course of therapy (48 weeks) and a combination therapy than those of other genotypes. Amplifying and sequencing the 5' untranslated region (UTR) region of HCV genome allows the HCV genotype to be determined by comparing to prototypic HCV genotypes in a database.
Special Instructions:
Click here to print the Molecular Diagnostics requisition.
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