Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Confirmation, Serum – Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog

Useful For

Confirming the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific IgG antibodies in serum specimens that are reactive by HCV antibody screening tests

Distinguishing between true- and false-reactive HCV antibody screening test results

This test is not intended for use as an HCV antibody screening test for blood or human cells/tissue donors

This assay is not useful for detection of early or acute hepatitis C (<2 months from exposure) as immunocompromised patients may not develop detectable HCV antibodies in blood until 6 months after infection

This assay is not useful for differentiating between past (resolved) and chronic hepatitis C

Testing Algorithm

This test is available as a confirmatory test for reactive Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screening test results.

See Hepatitis C: Testing Algorithm for Screening and Diagnosis in Special Instructions.

Special Instructions

• Hepatitis C: Testing Algorithm for Screening and Diagnosis

Reporting Name

HCV Ab Confirmation, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Ordering Guidance

This test does not differentiate between past (resolved) and chronic hepatitis C. To distinguish between past (resolved) and chronic hepatitis C, order HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Serum.

For screening of asymptomatic individuals for HCV, order HCSRN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Screen with Reflex to HCV RNA, PCR, Asymptomatic, Serum.

For detection of HCV in symptomatic at-risk individuals, order HCVDX / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody with Reflex to HCV RNA, PCR, Symptomatic, Serum.

Necessary Information

Date of collection is required.

Specimen Required

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.4 mL

Collection Instructions:

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

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type
Temperature
Time
Special Container

Serum
Frozen (preferred)
30 days

 
Refrigerated 
7 days

Clinical Information

Laboratory testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients and donors of organ, blood, cells, tissue, and tissue products usually begins by screening for the presence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) in serum, using an FDA-approved anti-HCV screening test. Specimens that are repeatedly reactive by screening tests should be confirmed by more HCV-specific tests, such as direct detection of HCV RNA by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay or confirmatory detection of HCV antibodies by serologic assays using recombinant HCV-specific antigens. In patients with reactive HCV antibody screening test results but negative or undetectable HCV RNA test results, HCV antibody confirmatory tests would be useful to distinguish between true- and false-reactive HCV antibody screening test results.

HCV antibodies are usually not detectable during the first 2 months following infection, and 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. Loss of HCV antibodies may occur in the years following resolution of infection.

Despite the value of serologic confirmation of HCV infection, several limitations of this test exist:

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

-A positive test result does not distinguish between past (resolved) and chronic HCV infection

-Serologic tests cannot predict or monitor response to antiviral therapy

See Hepatitis C: Testing Algorithm for Screening and Diagnosis in Special Instructions.

Reference Values

Negative

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific IgG antibodies due to past (resolved) or chronic hepatitis C. Past (resolved) HCV infection (accounting for about 25% of all HCV-infected patients) can be distinguished from chronic HCV infection (about 75% of all cases) only by direct detection of HCV RNA using molecular test methods; eg, HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Serum. HCV RNA is present in acute or chronic hepatitis C but not in past (resolved) HCV infection.

A negative result indicates the absence of HCV-specific IgG antibodies. A reactive HCV antibody screening test result with a negative HCV antibody confirmatory result indicates a probable false-reactive screening test result.

An indeterminate result indicates that HCV-specific IgG antibodies may or may not be present. Indeterminate results should be interpreted along with patient’s risk factors for HCV infection and clinical findings. Individuals at risk for HCV infection with indeterminate results should be retested with an HCV antibody confirmatory test in 1 to 2 months to determine the definitive HCV antibody status. Molecular tests to detect HCV RNA may be necessary to determine HCV infection status in those at-risk immunocompromised patients with indeterminate HCV antibody confirmatory test results due to delayed appearance of fully complement of HCV-specific antibodies.

An unreadable result indicates nonspecific cross reactivity was present and HCV-specific antibody bands could not be visualized reliably. Repeat confirmatory serologic testing in 1 to 2 months or HCV RNA (HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR [RT-PCR], Serum) is recommended for at-risk patients.

Clinical Reference

1. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America/International Antiviral Society-USA. Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C. Accessed January 27, 2015. Available at www.hcvguidelines.org

2. Carithers RL, Marquardt A, Gretch DR: Diagnostic testing for hepatitis C. Semin Liver Dis. 2000;20(2):159-171

3. Pawlotsky JM: Use and interpretation of hepatitis C virus diagnostic assays. Clin Liver Dis. 2003;7:127-137

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidelines for laboratory testing and result reporting of antibody to hepatitis C virus. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003;52(No. RR-3):1-14. Accessed April 2020. Available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5203a1.htm

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Testing for HCV infection: an update of guidance for clinicians and laboratorians. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62:362-365

Day(s) Performed

Wednesday

Report Available

1 to 14 days

Test Classification

This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86804

LOINC Code Information

Test ID
Test Order Name
Order LOINC Value

HCVL
HCV Ab Confirmation, S
40726-2

Result ID
Test Result Name
Result LOINC Value

63063
HCV Ab Confirmation, S
40726-2

Method Name

Line Immunoassay (LIA)