Screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in primary care settings in high-risk persons with a current or previous history of illicit injection drug use or a history of receiving a blood transfusion prior to 1992
Screening for hepatitis C in primary care settings in non-high-risk persons born from 1945 through 1965
Screening at least once in a lifetime for all adults greater or equal to 18 years, except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection is less than 0.1%
This test is not offered as a screening or confirmatory 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.
This screening test is indicated for testing asymptomatic individuals that may or may not have risk factors for a hepatitis C virus infection.
Note: In accordance with National Coverage Determination guidance, this test is indicated for asymptomatic patients born from 1945 through 1965, those with a history of injection drug use, or a history of receiving blood transfusion prior to 1992.
| Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCVQN | HCV RNA Detect/Quant, S | Yes | No |
If the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screen is reactive, then HCV RNA 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
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Virus)
HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) Antibody
HCV Antibody
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C antibody
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis
HCSRN
Hepatitis C Ab
If the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screen is reactive, then HCV RNA 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
Serum SST
This test is not intended for testing symptomatic individuals (ie, diagnostic purposes). For testing such patients with or without risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, order HCVDX / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody with Reflex to HCV RNA, PCR, Symptomatic, Serum.
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.
For patients with acute or recent HCV infections (<3 months from time of exposure) or are repeatedly reactive by screening tests and should be confirmed by a more HCV-specific test, order HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Serum.
If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze serum at -70 degrees C until shipment on and transport on dry ice.
Date of collection is 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
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.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following:
0.9 mL
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Frozen (preferred) | 84 days | |
| Refrigerated | 6 days |
Screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in primary care settings in high-risk persons with a current or previous history of illicit injection drug use or a history of receiving a blood transfusion prior to 1992
Screening for hepatitis C in primary care settings in non-high-risk persons born from 1945 through 1965
Screening at least once in a lifetime for all adults greater or equal to 18 years, except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection is less than 0.1%
This test is not offered as a screening or confirmatory 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.
If the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screen is reactive, then HCV RNA 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
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 U.S. 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.
HCV 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 immunoassay 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.
Reactive 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 available to confirm HCV antibody status.
Reactive results with COI values of 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.
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 HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Serum is necessary for detection of HCV infection in such patients.
A single negative hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA test result together with a reactive HCV antibody screen result with a cutoff index value greater than 20.0 does not rule out the possibility of chronic HCV infection. Repeat testing for HCV RNA in 1 to 2 months is recommended in patient at risk for chronic hepatitis C.
Infants born to HCV-infected mothers may have false-reactive HCV antibody test results due to transplacental passage of maternal HCV IgG antibodies. HCV antibody testing is not recommended until at least 18 months in these infants.
Serum specimens from individuals taking biotin supplements at 20 mg or more per day may have false-negative HCV Ab test results with this assay due to interference of biotin. Such individuals should stop taking these biotin-containing dietary supplements for minimum 12 hours before blood collection for this test.
Performance characteristics have not been established for the following types of serum specimen:
-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level of >66 mg/dL)
-Grossly lipemic (intralipid level of >2000 mg/dL)
-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level of >1000 mg/dL)
-Biotin >1200 ng/mL
-Presence of particulate matter
-Cadaveric specimens
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. 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
3. Chou R, Dana T, Fu R, et al. Screening for hepatitis C virus infection in adolescents and adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA; 2020; 323(10):976-991. Accessed December 21, 2023. Available at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762185
4. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Diseases Society of America: HCV guidance: Recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. Accessed December 21, 2023. Available at www.hcvguidelines.org/evaluate/testing-and-linkage
The Elecsys Anti-HCV II (hepatitis C virus) assay is based on the sandwich immunoassay principle and performed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the automated cobas e 801 immunochemistry analyzer. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies present in patient’s sample react with biotinylated HCV-specific antigens and a reagent containing HCV-specific antigens labeled with a ruthenium complex to form a sandwich complex. After addition of streptavidin-coated microparticles (solid phase), these complexes bind to the solid phase via interaction of biotin and streptavidin. The reaction mixture is aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode. Unbound substances are then washed away, and voltage is applied to the electrode which induces chemiluminescent emissions that are measured by a photomultiplier. Test result is determined by comparing the electrochemiluminescence signal generated from the patient’s sample to the cutoff index value set from reagent lot-specific assay calibration. (Package insert: Elecsys Anti-HCV II. Roche Diagnostics; v1.0, 03/2023)
Monday through Saturday
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.
86803
G0472 (if appropriate for government payers)
87522 Hepatitis C, quantification (if appropriate)
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HCSRN | HCV Ab Scrn w/Reflex to HCV PCR, S | 40726-2 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| HCVA5 | HCV Ab Screen, S | 40726-2 |