Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Lavender top tube (EDTA), White top plasma preparation tube (PPT, EDTA)

Minimum:

3 mL plasma or 6 mL whole blood.  if also testing for HIV viral load, 
collect a second Pink top tube (3 mL plasma or 6 ml whole blood).  Both 
the genotyping and the quantitative assay can be performed from this 
2.0 mL.  Sample tube must remain sterile.  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

Comments:

Test is performed once per week.

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:

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 with 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:

87902