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Hepatitis C RNA General Clinical Tests
Test Name
Method		 Hepatitis C RNA (HCV-RNA)
Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)
Specimen
Requirements
 Plasma (ACD or EDTA; avoid heparin)
Separate plasma and freeze -20° within 4 h of collection. Analysis should be within 2 weeks.
Ref. Range
Conventional
International Recommended Units		 Negative
Chemical Interfaces
In Vivo& Effects		 Cross contamination with RNA from other specimens causing false positive is possible.
Diagnostic Information See Hepatitis C antibody for information regarding the virus and its clinical course. Detection of HCV-RNA by RT-PCR is used in almost clinical research studies of HCV. Several PCR techniques using different nested primers have been reported. The best genomic area for detection by PCR seems to be well conserved 5'- non-coding region.
Remarks RNA is very susceptible to degradation; thus, improper specimen handling can cause false-negative results.

Because of the extreme precautions needed to reliably run the PCR assay, it is likely that HCV-RNA by RT-PCR will remain primarily a research test. The test is now offered commercially but is relatively expensive.

Hepatitis General Clinical Tests Contents

References:
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, third edition.

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