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Test ID: HCVSP Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Screen Prenatal, Serum


Ordering Guidance


This test is intended for testing either symptomatic or asymptomatic women who are pregnant.

 

For testing autopsy/cadaver or hemolyzed specimens, order HCCAD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Screen for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Asymptomatic, Serum for asymptomatic individuals or HCCDD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody in Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Symptomatic, Serum for symptomatic individuals.

 

Specimens that are repeatedly reactive by screening tests should be confirmed by a more hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific test. Order HCVRP / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Prenatal, Serum.

 

If testing is desired to distinguish between true positivity and biologic false positivity for HCV antibody, then testing may be done with a second HCV antibody assay approved by the Food and Drug Administration for diagnosis of HCV infection that is different from the assay used for initial antibody testing (HCCAD / Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Screen for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Asymptomatic, Serum).



Shipping Instructions


If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze serum at -70° C until shipment and transport on dry ice.



Necessary Information


Date of collection is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 24 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel (red-top tubes are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Useful For

Screening of pregnant women for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in primary care settings, with or without risk factors for hepatitis C

 

This test should not be used as a screening test for hepatitis C in blood or human cells/tissue donors.

 

This test profile is not useful for detection or diagnosis of acute hepatitis C since HCV antibodies may not be detectable until after 2 months following exposure and HCV RNA testing is not performed on specimens with negative HCV antibody screening test results.

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
HCVRP HCV RNA Detect/Quant Prenatal, S Yes No

Testing Algorithm

If the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screen is reactive, then HCV RNA testing by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction will be performed at an additional charge.

 

For more information, see Hepatitis C: Testing Algorithm for Screening and Diagnosis.

Method Name

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Reporting Name

HCV Ab Scrn Prenatal, S

Specimen Type

Serum SST

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.9 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum SST Frozen (preferred) 84 days
  Refrigerated  6 days

Clinical Information

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is recognized as the cause of most cases of posttransfusion hepatitis and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the United States, HCV infection is quite common, with an estimated 2.4 million chronically HCV-infected individuals.

 

Laboratory testing for HCV infection usually begins by screening for the presence of HCV-specific antibodies in serum, using an US Food and Drug Administration-approved screening test. Specimens that are repeatedly reactive by screening tests should be confirmed with HCV tests with higher specificity, such as direct detection of HCV RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or HCV-specific antibody confirmatory tests.

 

Hepatitis C virus antibodies are usually not detectable during the first 2 months following infection, but they are usually detectable by the late convalescent stage (>6 months after onset) of infection. These antibodies do not neutralize the virus and they do not provide immunity against this viral infection.

 

Current screening serologic tests to detect antibodies to HCV include enzyme and chemiluminescence immunoassays.

 

Despite the value of serologic tests to screen for HCV infection, several limitations of serologic testing exist:

-There may be a long delay (up to 6 months) between exposure to the virus and the development of detectable HCV-specific antibodies in immunocompromised individuals

-False-reactive screening test result can occur

-A reactive screening test result does not distinguish between past (resolved) and present HCV infection

-Serologic tests cannot provide information on clinical response to anti-HCV therapy

 

Reactive screening test results should be followed by a supplemental or confirmatory test, such as a nucleic acid test for HCV RNA or HCV antibody confirmatory test. Nucleic acid tests provide a very sensitive and specific approach for the direct detection of HCV RNA.

 

For more information see Hepatitis C: Testing Algorithm for Screening and Diagnosis.

Reference Values

Negative

 

For more information see Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles.

Interpretation

Reactive hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screening results with cutoff index (COI) values less than or equal to 20.0 with this assay are not predictive of the true HCV antibody status. Additional testing is recommended to confirm HCV antibody status.

 

Reactive results with COI values greater than 20.0 with this assay are highly predictive (95% or greater probability) of the true HCV antibody status, but additional testing is needed to differentiate between past (resolved) and chronic hepatitis C. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, reactive HCV antibody screen results should be followed by HCV RNA testing (HCVQN). Detection of HCV RNA indicates current HCV infection. If HCV RNA is not detected, that indicates either past, resolved HCV infection, or false HCV antibody positivity.

 

A negative screening test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HCV. Negative screening test results in individuals with prior exposure to HCV may be due to low antibody levels that are below the limit of detection of this assay or lack of reactivity to the HCV antigens used in this assay. Patients with acute or recent HCV infections (<2 months from time of exposure) may have false-negative HCV antibody results due to the time needed for seroconversion (average of 8 to 9 weeks). Testing for HCV RNA using HCVRP / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification, Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Prenatal, Serum is recommended for detection of HCV infection in such patients.

Clinical Reference

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Testing for HCV infection: an update of guidance for clinicians and laboratorians. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(18):362-365

2. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Hughes BL, Page CM, Kuller JA: Hepatitis C in pregnancy: screening, treatment, and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017; 217(5):B2-B12

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pregnancy and HIV, viral hepatitis STD and TB prevention: HCV challenges. CDC; Reviewed October 31, 2023. Accessed. December 19, 2023. Available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/pregnancy/challenges/hcv.html

4. Schillie S, Wester C, Osborne M, Wesolowski L, Ryerson AB. CDC Recommendations for hepatitis C screening among adults - United States, 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2020;69(2):1-17

5. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Diseases Society of America: HCV guidance: Recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. Updated October 24, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2023. Available at www.hcvguidelines.org/evaluate/testing-and-linkage

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86803

G0472 (if appropriate for government payers)

87522 Hepatitis C, quantification (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HCVSP HCV Ab Scrn Prenatal, S 40726-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
HCVA6 HCV Ab Prenatal, S 40726-2

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following with the specimen:

-Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916)

-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728)

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Gastroenterology Catalog Additional Information:

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