Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB868
HCAB

Category

Chemistry

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay

Test Performance Schedule

Sunday - Saturday

Result Availability

Within 24 hours

Container

Gold top (SST), Red top (serum), or Green top (lithium heparin) tube

Volume

Pref. Vol.: 1.0 mL serum or plasma
Min. Vol.: 0.5 mL serum or plasma

Collection Instructions

• Routine venipuncture

• Immediately after collection, gently invert tube 5-10 times

• Clot 30 minutes

• Promptly centrifuge 10 minutes

• If no gel barrier is present immediately transfer serum or plasma to a plastic tube and refrigerate

• Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube does not require transfer of serum or plasma to separate tube

Transportation Instructions

Refrigerated

Stability

• Room Temperature: 4 days
• Refrigerated: 5 days

Remarks

Medicare Medical Necessity Policy

All presumptive positive screens will be sent out for confirmatory testing by Hepatitis C Virus RNA Qualitative, PCR


Biotin, also referred to as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, can interfere with this test when taken in mega doses of 5mg (5000 mcg) or more. It is often promoted as a skin and hair beauty aid. Please ask your patients to refrain from taking Biotin or supplements containing Biotin for at least 24 hours before collecting specimens for lab testing.

https://biotinfacts.roche.com/

https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm586505.htm

CPT Codes

86803

Effective/Revised

7/31/2019

Hepatitis C virus, first identified in 1989, is the most common cause of posttransfusion and

community-acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide. Infection with HCV frequently leads to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C virus is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus which has been classified as a genus in the family of Flaviviridae. Like other RNA viruses, the HCV genome exhibits substantial heterogeneity as a result of mutations that occur during viral replication. Worldwide, at least 11 genetically distinct genotypes and multiple subtypes and virus variants have been described. Infection with specific genotypes can affect disease severity and treatment response.

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contaminated blood and blood products and to a lower extent by human body secretions.

Anti-HCV antibody tests are used alone or in combination with other tests (e.g. HCV-RNA) to detect an infection with hepatitis C virus.