Specimen Requirements

Preferred Collection Container: 

Lavender (EDTA) is preferred when only the HCV PCR Quantitative testing is performed
SST (Serum Separator) is preferred when HCV Antibody Screening is performed initially. DM Hospitals preferred is SST.

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Red (No Additive)

Collection Information: 

EDTA: Draw blood in an EDTA plasma tube and spin down within 24 hours of collection. Immediately refrigerate or freeze plasma . Forward promptly to laboratory.
Serum: Collect in SST tube or Red Top tube and spin down within 24 hours of collection. Immediately refrigerate or freeze serum. Forward promptly to laboratory.

Transport Information: 

1.4 mL of frozen [preferred] or refrigerated plasma or serum in a polypropylene (screw top) transport tube.  Use of polystyrene (push top closure)  tubes may lead to breakage and loss of specimen.

Minimum Sample Volume: 

1.2 mL of serum or plasma (approximately 2.4 mL of whole blood based upon a normal patient hematocrit)

Remarks: 

This test is intended to detect acute and chronic HCV infection and to monitor response to anti-HCV therapy.

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Heparinized specimen. Whole blood specimen left at room temperature for more than 6 hours. Exposure to ambient conditions should be limited.