Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

6 mL whole blood or 3 mL plasma. If also testing for HIV viral load, 
collect a second Pink top tube (3 mL plasma or 6 mL whole blood).  HCV 
molecular testing cannot be added onto a previously opened vacutainer 
tube.  Testing requires a dedicated collection tube.

Testing
Schedule:

Once per week

Analytic Time:

1 week

Reference Range:

Analytic Measurement Range:  43-69,000,000 IU/mL
Results Reported:  Negative, <43 IU/mL, 43 and greater IU/mL

Methodology:

Homogeneous Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time PCR)

Sample
Processing:

Within 6 hours of collection, centrifuge at 800-1600 x g for 10 
minutes.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate.
See "Instructions:" below for special storage requirements.

Transport
Instructions:

Place coolant packs into styrofoam container.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
DO NOT FREEZE, protect specimen by wrapping in bubble-wrap or toweling.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Instructions:

Cannot use specimen for other testing.

Record draw time.

All collection tubes need to be processed within six hours of 
collection.  If specimens cannot reach the Microbiology laboratory at 
UIHC with the six hours, process as follows:

Pink or lavender top tubes:
Centrifuge for 20 minutes at 800-1600 x g.  Aseptically enter the tube
and aliquot into sterile RNase free tubes.  Transport to the laboratory 
on ice within 24 hours.

White top tube:
Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 800-1600 x g.  Do not pour off plasma, 
maintain sterility and transport to the laboratory on ice within 24 
hours.

CPT Code:

87522