Test Directory

• Hepatitis E qRT-PCR (quant)
• Hepatitis E qRT-PCR (log)

The primers and probes used in this assay are specific and inclusive for all 4 known HEV genotype strains based on similarity search algorithms.

Diagnostic testing for Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is important in patients for which other causes of acute hepatitis have been excluded, since HEV infection is clinically indistinguishable from other types of acute viral hepatitis. Diagnosis is based upon the detection of anti-HEV antibodies or detection of HEV nucleic acid; a combination of these two approaches is preferred particularly in acute cases of HEV infection. Detection of multiple HEV genotypes is clinically relevant since HEV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 have all been implicated in human disease, and viral quantitation has a role in monitoring response to therapy.

Specimen Type: Plasma

Alternate Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container: Lavender Top (EDTA)

Alternate Collection Container: Red Top, Plain

Desired Specimen Volume: 2 mL

1. Collect a lavender top (EDTA) tube via venipuncture

1. Separate plasma from cells.
2. Transfer 2 mL of plasma to a clear aliquot tube (screw cap) and freeze.

Transport to the laboratory frozen. 

• Grossly hemolyzed

See patient report.

Avoid using gel separator tubes; samples collected in gel separator tubes have increased rate of PCR inhibition.

• Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR