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HelpTest Code HCVAB Hepatitis C Antibody
Useful For
To aid in the diagnosis of ongoing or past hepatitis C infection.
Synonyms/Keywords
Anti-HCV, HCVAB, Anti-Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis C Antibody-EIA
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Serum | Serum Separator Tube (SST) | Red Top Tube (RTT) | 0.5 mL | 0.4 mL | 0.3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Separate serum from the blood within 60 minutes of venipuncture and transport in an aliquot tube. Specimen must be free of particulate matter including fibrin.
Regional/Outreach sites: Please send samples to Marshfield frozen.
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay. It is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Serum |
Ambient | <8 hours |
| Refrigerate | <48 hours | |
| Frozen at -20oC | 6 months | |
| Frozen at -70oC | >6 months |
Rejection Criteria
| Grossly hemolyzed |
|---|
| Grossly icteric |
| Specimens containing precipitate |
| Cadaver specimens |
| Heat-inactivated specimens |
| Body fluids other than serum |
Test Information
Hepatitis C is a viral infection primarily of the liver. Upon initial infection patients may develop an acute hepatitis syndrome of varying severity, or remain symptom-free. Chronic infections follow in 50-80% of all cases. Chronic hepatitis C remains latent for years or decades before reemerging to cause cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Limitations:
- A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to hepatitis C virus.
- The calculated values for hepatitis C in a given specimen as determined by assays from different manufacturers can vary due to differences in assay methods and reagent specificity. Values obtained with different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably.
- The performance of the assay has not been established for populations of immunocompromised, immunosuppressed, neonatal specimens, infants, children, or adolescent patients and cadaver specimens.
- A reactive anti-HCV result does not exclude co-infection by another hepatitis virus.
All positive HCV Antibody tests will automatically reflex to an HCV Viral Load (HCVQT). Per CDC Guidelines, accurate diagnosis of current infection with HCV is dependent upon completion of a two-step algorithm- HCV antibody followed by HCV RNA testing.
Interferences
Heterophilic antibodies in human serum can react with the immunoglobulins included in the assay components causing interference with immunoassay.
Interpretations
A Reactive result indicates the presence of anti-hepatitis C virus total antibodies; it does not distinguish between phases of infection, or whether the infection is ongoing or historical.
The Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative test (test code HCVQT) may be used to detect ongoing viral replication
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield | Reported as "Reactive" or "Non-reactive" or "Equivocal". Reactive results will include comment on signal to cutoff ratio. |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Friday | 1 day | Sandwich Chemiluminometric Immunoassay/Siemens Centaur |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86803 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86803 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Hepatitis C Antibody |