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St. John Health System
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Hepatitis B Quantitative Viral Load, PCR

Order Name HEP B PCR
Test Number: 5592525
Revision Date 12/12/2022
Test Name Methodology LOINC Code
Hepatitis B Quantitative Viral Load, PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction  
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS
Specimen Specimen Volume (min) Specimen Type Specimen Container Transport Environment
Preferred 3mL (2.5mL) Plasma EDTA (Lavender Top) Frozen
Alternate 1 3mL (2.5mL) Serum Clot Activator SST Frozen
Instructions Preferred Specimen is 5 mL (2.5 mL) Plasma or Serum from EDTA (Lavender Top) or Clot Activator SST
Centrifuge specimen and separate plasma or serum from cells within 6 hours of collection and freeze.

Stability: Freshly drawn specimens whole blood may be held at 2 to 30°C for up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation.
Serum or plasma specimens may be stored frozen at -20°C or lower for up to 60 days. Avoid multiple freeze/thaws.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Testing Schedule Wed 
Expected TAT 7-10 Days (depending upon time of receipt of specimen) 
Clinical Use Quantitates Hepatitis B Virus DNA down to 0.01 pg/mL for establishment of a baseline and to monitor viral load. The most important test for determining the efficacy of antiviral treatment is quantitative HBV DNA monitoring. HBV DNA testing is useful in detecting potential disease transmission from prospective donors and for post-transplantation monitoring. Although HBeAg is considered an indirect monitor of viral replication, high viral replication may occur without circulating HBeAg, due to mutations of the virus preventing the production of HBeAg. 
CPT Code(s) 87517
Internal Comments 4/14/15 changed TAT and s/u from 3-6 Days, Tues - Sat  to wed 7-10 depending on when recv'd
9/22/17 updated spec proc to be the text below after TQM - JK
Collect 2 EDTA tubes which may be held at 15-30°C for up to 6 hours prior to separation and centrifugation.
After centrifugation, serum or plasma may be held for up to 72 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Serum or plasma specimens may be stored at -20°C or lower for up to 60 days. Avoid multiple freeze/thaws.
10/2/17 updated specimen processing again - JK
Collect Two EDTA tubes, centrifuge specimens and separate plasma from cells, then transfer 3mL(2.5mL) of EDTA Plasma into plastic aliquot tube and Freeze plasma within 2 hours of collection!
02/25: Updated instructions - SN
12/8/20 moved back
(This is a temporary send out)
Reference Lab: Quest
Test Code: 8369
Click Here to view information on the Quest website.
9-7-21 extending whole blood stability - JK
Service Provided By Labcorp Oklahoma, Inc.
Lab Section Molecular Diagnostic