HEPATITIS C QUANTITATIVE PCR / HEPATITIS C VIRAL LOAD

Test Name

Aliases

HCV RNA QUANTITATION; HCV QUANTITATIVE PCR; HCV VIRAL LOAD; HCV NUCLEIC ACID TEST (NAT); HCV NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TEST (NAAT).

Abbreviations

HCV VL, HCV PCR, HCV RNA; HCV NAT; HCV NAAT

Test Classification

INDIVIDUAL

Department

MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY

Sub Department

INFECTIOUS

TAT Category

ELAPSED (CONTINUOUS) TIME

Estimated TAT

216

TAT Units

HOURS

Test Requirements

Sample type: VARIABLE E.G. EDTA PLASMA/ SERUM Container/ preservative: EDTA PLASMA IN SEPARATION VIAL, EDTA WHOLE BLOOD IN PLASMA SEPARATION TUBE (PST), SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST). Sample volume: 5 ML EDTA WHOLE BLOOD OR 2ML EDTA PLASMA/ SERUM. NB: Order MUST be clarified if the doctor simply states HCV PCR i.e. clarification on whether qualitative PCR should be done (used for DIAGNOSIS; code MP2315) or whether quantitative PCR/ viral load should be done (used for TREATMENT MONITORING where diagnosis is ALREADY established; code MP2314). 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

Measures the amount of HCV RNA in the blood of patients with an ALREADY ESTABLISHED HCV diagnosis.

Last Review

26th Feb 2026