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.
|
