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HelpTest ID: HCVG Hepatitis C Virus Genotype, Serum
Reporting Name
HCV Genotype, SUseful For
Determining hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (1 to 5) to guide antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Differentiating between HCV subtypes 1a and 1b
This assay should not be used as a screening test for HCV infection. It should be performed only on specimens obtained from patients confirmed to have HCV RNA levels in serum of 500 IU/mL or higher.
Clinical Information
Unique nucleotide sequences of certain regions (eg, 5'-noncoding, core, NS5b) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome allow classification of HCV into 6 major genotypes or clades (1-6), based on the most recently proposed HCV genotype nomenclature. In the United States, the most frequently encountered HCV genotypes are 1a and 1b, followed by genotypes 2 and 3. Worldwide geographic distribution, disease outcome, and response to antiviral therapy differ among the genotypes. Therefore, reliable methods for genotype determination are important for proper selection of antiviral therapy and optimal patient management. Infections with HCV genotypes 2 and 3 have better therapeutic response rates (80%-90%) than genotypes 1 and 4 (40%-50%) to previous standard combination therapy (ribavirin plus pegylated interferon alpha-2a or alpha-2b). Duration of such combination therapy is 24 weeks for chronic HCV genotype 2 and 3 infections in patients who show early virologic response (>2 log or 100-fold decrease in HCV RNA or no detectable HCV RNA at week 12 of therapy), while patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 and 4 infections receive a minimum of 48 weeks of such combination therapy if early virologic response is achieved (undetectable HCV RNA at week 4 of therapy).
Therapeutic response rates for HCV genotype 1 infection are improved significantly (80%-90%) when oral direct acting antiviral agents (eg, daclatasvir, sofosbuvir, ledipasvir + sofosbuvir, velpatasvir + sofosbuvir, glecaprevir + pibrentasvir, elbasvir + grazoprevir, velpatasvir + voxilaprevir + sofosbuvir) are added or used in lieu of interferon-based combination therapy.
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Disease Society of America recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C are available at www.hcvguidelines.org/contents.
The following algorithms are available:
-Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment and Monitoring Algorithm: Direct Antiviral Antigen (DAA) Combination
Interpretation
|
Interpretation |
Resolution test (reflex test) ordered? |
|
|
1a |
1a is the definitive subtype/genotype |
No |
|
1b |
1b is the definitive subtype/genotype |
No |
|
2 |
2 is the definitive genotype |
No |
|
3 |
3 is the definitive genotype |
No |
|
4 |
4 is the definitive genotype |
No |
|
5 |
5 is the definitive genotype |
No |
|
1 |
A definitive genotype/subtype (1a, 1b, 6) could not be assigned. Resolution testing ordered. |
Yes |
|
1a, 2 (any 2 genotypes) |
Result may be due to mixed genotype infection, recombination of HCV genotypes, or assay probe cross-reactivity. |
No |
|
1, 3 (2 genotypes with a 1 no subtype) |
Result may be due to mixed genotype infection, recombination of HCV genotypes, or assay probe cross-reactivity. Resolution testing ordered. |
Yes |
|
HCV not detected |
Assay failed to detect HCV RNA. |
No |
|
Indeterminate (undetermined genotype) |
HCV RNA detected, but genotype could not be determined. Resolution testing ordered. |
Yes |
|
Indeterminate (mix) |
Result may be due to mixed genotype infection, recombination of HCV genotypes, or assay probe cross-reactivity. |
No |
An "Undetected" result indicates the absence of detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the specimen.
An "Indeterminate" result may be due to one or more of the following causes:
1. Low HCV RNA level (ie, <500 IU/mL)
2. HCV genotype 6
3. Probe reactivity with multiple HCV genotypes
4. Variation in patient's HCV target sequences with mismatches to polymerase chain reaction primers and/or probes.
Specimens generating indeterminate results with this assay will be automatically evaluated with the subsequent test HCVGR / Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Resolution, Serum.
An HCV genotype result of "1" without a subtype result may be due to one or more of the following causes:
1. Low HCV RNA level (ie, <500 IU/mL)
2. Probe reactivity with multiple genotype 1 subtypes
3. Variation in HCV genotype 1 target sequence
4. Misclassification of some true genotype 6 strains
This assay can differentiate between HCV subtypes 1a and 1b. However, subtypes are not reported for HCV genotypes 2 to 5 due to limitations of the current genotyping assay in accurately differentiating the various subtypes of these genotypes.
Results with multiple or mixed HCV genotypes (eg, 1, 5; 1a, 2; or 3, 5) may be due to mixed genotype infection or assay probe cross-reactivity. Only those specimens with multiple or mixed genotype results containing genotype 1 but no subtype will be automatically evaluated with the subsequent test HCVGR / Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Resolution, Serum.
Report Available
1 to 6 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Clinical Reference
1. Germer JJ, Mandrekar JN, Bendel JL, et al: Hepatitis C virus genotypes in clinical specimens tested at a national reference testing laboratory in the United States. J Clin Microbiol. 2011;49(8):3040-3043
2. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. HCV Guidance: Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C. Accessed August 21, 2024. Available at www.hcvguidelines.org
Method Name
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) followed by Hybridization with Sequence-Specific, Fluorescent-Labeled Oligonucleotide Probes
Specimen Type
Serum SSTShipping Instructions
Ship specimen frozen on dry ice only. If shipment will be delayed for more than 3 days, freeze serum at -20° C or colder (up to 42 days) until shipment on dry ice.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel (red-top tubes are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions:
Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Additional Information:
1. This test requires a minimum hepatitis C virus viral load of 500 IU/mL within the 30 days preceding collection.
2. Serum specimens previously submitted to other laboratories for non-microbiology tests are not acceptable for add-on test requests due to possible sample-to-sample carryover from automation used for those tests.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Frozen (preferred) | 42 days | ALIQUOT TUBE |
| Refrigerated | 72 hours | ALIQUOT TUBE |
Reference Values
Undetected
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87902
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HCVG | HCV Genotype, S | 32286-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 81618 | HCV Genotype, S | 32286-7 |
Testing Algorithm
Specimens either generating indeterminate genotype results, results with multiple or mixed hepatitis C virus genotypes (eg, 1, 5; 1, 2; or 1, 5), or those containing genotype 1 with no subtype will be automatically evaluated with by genotype resolution at an additional charge.
The following algorithms are available:
-Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment and Monitoring Algorithm: Direct Antiviral Antigen (DAA) Combination
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCVGR | HCV Genotype Resolution, S | No | No |
Special Instructions
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following:
-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728)
-Microbiology Test Request (T244)
mml-hepatitis