SPECIMEN

Preferred Collection Container: Lavender (EDTA)

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Red (No Additive)
SST (Serum Separator)

Collection Information: The preferred specimen is plasma.
EDTA: Draw blood in an EDTA plasma tube and spin down within 24 hours of collection. Immediately refrigerate or freeze plasma . Forward promptly to laboratory.
Serum: Collect in SST tube or Red Top tube and spin down within 24 hours of collection. Immediately refrigerate or freeze serum. Forward promptly to laboratory.

Transport Information: 1.4 mL of frozen [preferred] or refrigerated plasma or serum in a polypropylene (screw top) transport tube.  Use of polystyrene (push top closure)  tubes may lead to breakage and loss of specimen.

Minimum Sample Volume: 1.0 mL

Remarks: This test is intended to detect acute and chronic HCV infection and to monitor response to anti-HCV therapy.

Unacceptable Conditions: Heparinized specimen. Whole blood specimen left at room temperature for more than 6 hours. Exposure to ambient conditions should be limited.