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HCV – RNA PCR (Quantitative)

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Report in 12Hrs

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No Fasting Required

Details

Ddetects the presence (but not the quantity) of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in a person’s blood using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

₹2,999₹9,500

68% OFF

HCV – RNA PCR (Quantitative) Test Information Guide

  • Why is it done?
    • Measures the amount (viral load) of Hepatitis C virus RNA in the bloodstream using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology
    • Confirms active HCV infection in patients with positive HCV antibody results
    • Determines the severity of infection and infectivity of the patient
    • Assesses treatment response in patients undergoing antiviral therapy
    • Monitors patients for treatment efficacy and early relapse detection
    • Performed when patients present with clinical signs of hepatitis or abnormal liver function tests
    • Used in screening programs for blood/organ donors and patients with risk factors
  • Normal Range
    • Normal/Negative Result: Undetectable or <15 IU/mL (International Units per milliliter)
    • Positive Result: >15 IU/mL (varies slightly depending on the specific laboratory assay used)
    • Unit of Measurement: IU/mL (International Units per milliliter) or copies/mL
    • What Normal Means: No detectable HCV RNA in blood; patient either does not have active HCV infection or has successfully cleared the virus through treatment or natural immunity
    • What Abnormal Means: Detectable HCV RNA indicates active viral replication and ongoing HCV infection; patient is contagious
    • Viral Load Categories: Low (<800,000 IU/mL) or High (≥800,000 IU/mL); classification may vary by laboratory
  • Interpretation
    • Undetectable RNA (<15 IU/mL): Indicates no active infection; patient is not contagious via blood or semen; successful treatment response (SVR - Sustained Virological Response)
    • Low Viral Load (15-800,000 IU/mL): Active infection with slower viral replication; lower infectivity but still contagious; may indicate better treatment prognosis
    • High Viral Load (≥800,000 IU/mL): Rapid viral replication; increased infectivity and liver damage risk; may require more aggressive or longer treatment protocols
    • Factors Affecting Results: Laboratory assay variation; HCV genotype; stage of infection; immune system status; recent antiviral therapy; fluctuations in viral load over time (can vary up to 10-fold)
    • Clinical Significance: Baseline viral load helps determine treatment urgency and genotype-specific therapy; post-treatment testing confirms cure; early viral load reduction (>2 log drop) predicts treatment success
    • Detectable After Treatment: Indicates treatment failure or viral relapse; requires further investigation and possible regimen adjustment
  • Associated Organs
    • Primary Organ System: Liver and hepatic system; blood and circulatory system
    • Commonly Associated Diseases: Chronic hepatitis C; cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); liver fibrosis; portal hypertension
    • Extrahepatic Manifestations: Cryoglobulinemia; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; mixed connective tissue disease; lymphoma; thyroid disorders
    • Potential Complications: End-stage liver disease; acute liver failure; bleeding esophageal varices; hepatic encephalopathy; ascites; coinfection with HIV or HBV worsening disease progression
    • Risk Factors for Severe Disease: Age at infection; alcohol consumption; HIV coinfection; immunosuppression; male gender; high viral load; specific genotypes (1b and 3a)
  • Follow-up Tests
    • HCV Genotype Testing: Determines which direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is appropriate; guides treatment duration
    • Liver Function Tests (LFTs): ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin; assess baseline liver function and monitor for disease progression
    • Liver Biopsy or Fibrosis Assessment: FibroScan (elastography), APRI score, or liver biopsy to determine stage of fibrosis/cirrhosis
    • Abdominal Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI to evaluate for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and portal hypertension
    • Platelet Count: Indicator of liver synthetic function and portal hypertension severity
    • HIV and HBV Testing: Screen for coinfections that worsen prognosis and modify treatment
    • During Treatment Monitoring: HCV RNA PCR repeated at Week 4, Week 12, and at end of treatment to assess treatment response
    • Post-Treatment Follow-up: HCV RNA PCR at 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12) and at 24 weeks (SVR24) to confirm cure; annual HCC surveillance if cirrhosis present
  • Fasting Required?
    • Fasting Requirement: No
    • Patient Preparation: Patient can eat and drink normally; no dietary restrictions required
    • Medications: Continue all regular medications; antiviral medications do not interfere with the test
    • Sample Collection: 5-10 mL of blood drawn via venipuncture into EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) tube; plasma preferred over serum
    • Sample Handling: Process samples quickly; refrigerate or freeze if testing delayed; maintain chain of custody; do not allow repeated freeze-thaw cycles
    • Special Instructions: No special timing considerations; can be collected at any time of day; inform laboratory of HCV treatment status for appropriate interpretation

How our test process works!

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