Specimen

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Minimum 2.0 mL plasma required.  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.

Delivery Instructions:

Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection.

Testing Schedule:

Once per week

Analytic Time:

1 week

Comments:

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:

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.

Red, yellow 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.

Methodology:

Homogeneous Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time PCR)

CPT Code:

87902

See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery