HCV RNA PCR Quantitative, Real-Time PCR
HCV RNA PCR Quantitative, Real-Time PCR
Hepatitis C is a complex liver disease that requires timely diagnosis and a rigorous treatment regimen to prevent long-term liver damage while concurrently targeting viral eradication.
The HCV RNA Quantitative Assay is a PCR-based test that accurately quantifies the viral load—the amount of hepatitis C virus circulating in the patient's bloodstream. Unlike qualitative HCV PCR tests, this assay enables clinicians to assess the severity of liver damage and make informed decisions regarding treatment options. Knowing and understanding the viral load also facilitates monitoring of antiviral medication effectiveness
What is HCV RNA Quantitative PCR Used For?
The HCV RNA quantitative PCR test is used:
To detect the presence of HCV RNA in the patient’s blood before antibodies appears(
To quantify the virus in the blood of patients with chronic HCV infection (HCV antibody-positive) before initiating antiviral therapy
For monitoring disease progression in patients with chronic HCV infection
For monitoring patient’s response during and after treatment
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Most people with HCV lack symptoms. Yet, a small percentage may experience mild symptoms such as:
Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eye and skin)
Tiredness
Nausea and Vomiting
Fever
Pain in the upper right part of the belly
Joint pain
Test preparation
This test does not require any special preparation. However, ensure that your doctor knows your medical history and the medications and supplements you're currently taking to avoid interference with test results.
Interpretation of the Test Results
The unit for measuring the exact amount of HCV in the blood is reported as international units per milliliter (IU/mL). This number determines the viral load the patient has.
|
Quantity of Hepatitis C viral RNA in serum |
Interpretation |
|
Less than 15 IU/mL (<1.18 log IU/mL) |
Virus is detected but can not be measured accurately(Low viral load) |
|
More than 100,000,000 IU/mL (>8.00 log IU/mL) |
High viral load indicates an active viral infection |
|
Inconclusive |
Test failed to detect HCV RNA |
|
Undetectable viral load |
No HCV in the patient's blood But does not fully rule out HCV infection |
FAQs
What are the limitations of the HCV RNA PCR Quantitative test?
Because this assay has a quantification limit between 15 and 100,000,000 IU/mL (1.18 log to 8.00 log IU/mL), a single result cannot be used to form a clinical decision. For an accurate clinical assessment, the results need to be correlated with patient symptoms and data from other laboratory procedures
What does a high and low viral load mean?
Viral load is the amount of viral genetic material (RNA) present per milliliter of blood. Usually, viral load does not provide any information about the risk of liver damage or how sick someone is. However, with hepatitis C, viral load matters as it influences treatment length and efficacy. People who have low viral loads to start with may have shorter treatment regimens, while those with a high viral load can have difficulty recovering from the disease
What if I have a positive HCV antibody test, but my HCV RNA test is negative?
In cases where the HCV antibody test is positive but the HCV RNA is undetectable, the laboratory report will indicate "HCV RNA not detected." However, if your doctor strongly suspects that you have been exposed to HCV within the past 6 months or has clinical evidence of HCV disease, they may recommend retesting after a few weeks
How long does the PCR test take to become positive after exposure to HCV?
With PCR, HCV can be detected in a suspected blood sample within 1 to 2 weeks of virus exposure
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