Alberta Precision Laboratories

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PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NAT
(Synonyms: HCV Viral Load (VL), HCV Quantitative PCR, HCV Quant, HCV Nucleic Acid Test (NAT), HCV RNA, HCV PCR)

Pathogen:

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Clinical Indications:

The NAT or PCR test is helpful in determining the presence or absence of HCV viraemia. It is performed only if the patient is being assessed for treatment or is on treatment.

Test Includes:

NAT or PCR

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB1834

Primary Container:

Adult: Two DEDICATED LAVENDER EDTA.
Pediatric: One DEDICATED 2 mL LAVENDER EDTA.

For remote areas (when specimen delivery is > 6 hours to Provincial Lab):
Adult: Two DEDICATED 5 mL PPT (Plasma Preparation Tube)
Pediatric: One DEDICATED PPT tube with 2 mL of blood in it

Alternate Containers:

Adult: Two DEDICATED GOLD SST.
Pediatric: One DEDICATED GOLD SST with 2 mL of blood in it.

Minimum Collection Volume:

1 mL per tube

Test Resources:

Serology and Molecular Testing Requisition
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/frm-20676.pdf

NOTE: Clinical information must be provided on requisition.

Processing:

Tube	Temperature	Time
Uncentrifuged EDTA	2 - 30°C	6 hours
Centrifuged EDTA - plasma aliquot
	2 - 8°C	3 days
	15 - 30°C	24 hours
	2 - 8°C
Centrifuged PPT		3 days

Note: If EDTA sample cannot reach Public Health Lab within 6 hours, it must be centrifuged and aliquoted.

Transportation:

Transport on ice or cold packs. Do not freeze.

Ship according to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) guidelines:

Refer to https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/transportation-dangerous-goods-regulations
APL personnel refer to HSM14 Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program

Routine Turn Around Time:

7 days

Testing Schedule:

PLNA: Monday-Friday
PLSA: Tuesday/Thursday

Testing Area:

Virology

Performing Site:

Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (Calgary and Edmonton)

Additional Test Information:

Samples submitted for NATor PCR must be DEDICATED specimens to avoid contamination or degradation of the viral nucleic acid.

Only quantitative HCV NAT or PCR is available; therefore requests for qualitative HCV NAT or PCR will be performed using the quantitative assay.

Last Updated On:

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Date of Last Review:

Jun 24 2024 12:00AM