Ordering Guidance

This test is not intended for testing asymptomatic individuals (ie, screening purposes). For testing such patients with or without risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, order HCSRN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Screen with Reflex to HCV RNA, PCR, Asymptomatic, Serum.

For testing autopsy/cadaver or hemolyzed specimens, order HCCAD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Screen for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Asymptomatic, Serum for asymptomatic individuals or HCCDD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody in Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Symptomatic, Serum for symptomatic individuals.

For patients with acute or recent HCV infections (<3 months from time of exposure) or who are repeatedly reactive by screening tests and should be confirmed by a more HCV-specific test, order HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR, Serum.

If testing is desired to distinguish between true positivity and biologic false positivity for HCV antibody, then testing may be done with a second HCV antibody assay approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for diagnosis of HCV infection that is different from the assay used for initial antibody testing (HCCAD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Screen for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Asymptomatic, Serum).

Shipping Instructions

If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze serum at -70° C until shipment and transport on dry ice.

Necessary Information

Date of collection is required.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: For 24 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel (red-top tubes are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.