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Test Code HDVQU Hepatitis D Virus RNA Detection and Quantification, Real-Time RT-PCR, Serum


Ordering Guidance


This test should be requested for all individuals who are newly confirmed to be positive for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) or HDV total antibodies in serum.



Shipping Instructions


1. Freeze serum immediately, and ship specimen frozen on dry ice.

2. If shipment will be delayed for more 24 hours, freeze serum at -20 to -80° C (up to 35 days) until shipment on dry ice.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 2.2 mL

Collection Instructions:

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

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Useful For

Detection of hepatitis D virus (HDV) for diagnosis of acute or chronic hepatitis D

 

Determine HDV RNA level in serum to monitor progression and response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis D

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Hepatitis D: Diagnostic Testing Algorithm.

Method Name

Real-Time, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Reporting Name

HDV RNA Detect / Quant, S

Specimen Type

Serum SST

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.0 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum SST Frozen (preferred) 35 days ALIQUOT TUBE
  Refrigerated  5 days ALIQUOT TUBE

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus OK

Clinical Information

Infection with the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) always occurs in association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, where it may occur either as acute co-infection or acute super-infection superimposed upon existing chronic hepatitis B. HDV is an RNA virus that requires the presence of HBV for viral replication.

 

Diagnosis of acute HBV-HDV co-infection and HDV super-infection depends upon the presence of HDV antigen (HDV Ag) and HDV RNA in serum or plasma, with or without the presence of HDV-specific total antibodies, in addition to detectable hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs Ag), HBV e antigen, and/or HBV core total antibodies. Individuals with acute HBV-HDV co-infection will have detectable HBV core IgM antibody, which is absent in those with HDV super-infection with pre-existing chronic hepatitis B.

 

In acute co-infection, HDV Ag and HDV RNA appears early after HBs Ag becomes detectable and then both disappear with convalescence, while both markers persist in HDV superinfection that frequently leads to chronic HBV-HDV co-infection. HDV total antibodies persist in both resolved and chronic co-infection.

Reference Values

Undetected

Day(s) Performed

Varies (once per week)

Report Available

1 to 10 days

Specimen Retention Time

2 months

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

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

CPT Code Information

87523

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HDVQU HDV RNA Detect / Quant, S 85512-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
621375 HDV RNA Detect / Quant, S 85512-2