Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Qualitative PCR

Preferred Specimen(s) 3 mL frozen plasma collected in a PPT (white-top EDTA) tube or EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Instructions Separate plasma from cells by centrifugation within six hours of selection and transfer the separated plasma into screw cap vial

Transport Container plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

  • Refrigerated 5 days,
  • Frozen 35 days

Reject Criteria

  • Received refrigerated later than 72 hours from collection
  • Received room temperature

Methodology Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Clinical Significance: Useful in monitoring therapy and disease progression.