Test Name
HEPATITIS B QUALITATIVE PCR
Aliases
HBV DNA QUALITATIVE PCR
Abbreviations
HBV PCR
Test Classification
INDIVIDUAL
Department
MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
Sub Department
INFECTIOUS
TAT Category
ELAPSED (CONTINUOUS) TIME
Estimated TAT
5
TAT Units
DAYS
Test Requirements
2-3 mL of serum or 2-3 mL of EDTA plasma.
NB: Order MUST be clarified if the doctor simply states HBV PCR i.e. clarification on whether qualitative PCR should be done (used for DIAGNOSIS; code MP2313) or whether quantitative PCR/ viral load should be done (used for TREATMENT MONITORING where diagnosis is ALREADY established). If the order states viral load, this is synonymous with QUANTItative PCR and this code should NOT be selected. Instead code MP2310 should be selected.
SHIPPING/ TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS
Shipping Temperature: Refrigerated
ANALYTE STABILITY
Room Temperature: 7 days at 20-25°C │ Refrigerated: 1 month at 2-8°C │ Frozen: 1 month at -20°C
Clinical Utility
o DIAGNOSE hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection e.g. in patients with inconclusive serology results. If detectable for more than 6 months, this is consistent with chronic HBV infection.
It is NOT intended for treatment response monitoring.
Last Review
26th Feb 2026