Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Viral Load

Test name:
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Viral Load

Order name:
HCV VL U

Specimen requirements:
Serum or plasma separated from peripheral blood less than 6 hours from collection

Minimum volume:
2 mL serum or plasma

Storage and stability information:
Peripheral blood (Refrigerated, 6 hours), Serum or plasma (Refrigerated, 3 days, or frozen at -20°C less than 6 days)

Test performed:
Twice per week

Methodology:
Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Reference range:
No HCV target detected

Linear range:
43 to 69,000,000 IU/mL (1.6 – 7.8 log IU/mL)

Limit of detection:
The Limit of Detection (LOD) of the assay is 18 IU/mL across HCV genotypes 1-6 [ 7.1 IU/mL for HCV genotype 1; 15.3 IU/mL for HCV genotype 2; 9.8 IU/mL for HCV genotype 3; 5.6 IU/mL for HCV genotype 4;  18.3 IU/mL  for HCV genotype 5; 9.7 IU/Ml for HCV genotype 6

Clinical significance:
HCV viral load predicts likelihood of treatment response. Lower viral load at therapy initiation suggests better therapeutic response. The test is useful in monitoring therapy and disease progression.

CPT codes:
87522