Hepatitis C Antibody, Blood - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Alias
- Anti-HCV
- HCV Ab
- HCAB Hepatitis C (Chronic)
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Serum
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Gold (Gel)
- Alternative collection container: Red
Required volume
- Optimal: 4.5 mL
- Minimum: 1.0 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
- Pediatric: 1.0 mL
Transport and stability
- 7 days at 2 - 8°C
- 3 months at -20°C
Rejection criteria
Testing Information
Clinical interpretation
- A Reactive result for Hepatitis C indicates:
- That an individual may have previously been infected with Hepatitis C virus
- The majority of Hepatitis C Ab positive individuals are chronically infected and may be capable of transmitting HCV infection
- Hepatitis C PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is recommended to determine current HCV infection status of Hepatitis C Ab positive patients
Performance
Methodology
- Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Days/times performed
Availability |
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Testing site |
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Maximum laboratory time
- NOTE: All specimens for Hepatitis C that are found to be Borderline or Reactive by SHR will be referred to SDCL for additional evaluation and reporting. Only specimens found to be negative will be reported by SHR.
- In hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 48hrs
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Other information
- It is recommended that patients with reactive Hepatitis C results have follow up molecular virology testing on a new dedicated specimen.
Last Updated: October 9, 2024