HDV antibody (Total)

Description: 
This test can be used in conjunction with HDV antibody (IgM) and HDV RNA in the diagnosis and management of HDV acute and chronic infection.
Reference range: 

Negative and positive

Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
200 ul serum or 4 – 5 ml clotted blood
Turnaround time: 
5 - 10 working days _3 - 5 days for urgent samples_
Special sample instructions: 

(i) Bacterial contamination, repeated freeze-thaw cycles or heat inactivation of the specimens may affect the absorbance values of the samples with consequent alteration of anti-HD levels.

(ii) Diagnosis of an infectious disease should not be established on the basis of a single test result. A precise diagnosis, in fact, should take into consideration the patient’s clinical history, symptomatology, as well as serological data

(iii) Reliable results are dependent on adequate specimen collection, transport and storage.

(iv) Failure to separate whole blood within 6 hours collection.

(v) Failure to label specimen with patient name, date of birth and precise identifier

(vi) Failure to fill in a consultation-request form, in particular clinical information and doctor to be notified of findings.

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Store whole blood at 2 – 25°C for no longer than 48 hours. Separate serum from whole blood within 48 hours of collection. Serum or specimens may be stored at 2 – 8°C for up to 5 days or frozen at – 20°C or colder. Whole blood must be transported at 2 – 25°C and processed within 48 hours collection. Serum may be transported at room temperature or 2 – 8°C. _Samples sent by post or by courier must be appropriately labelled and packaged in leak-proof plastic containers in accordance with Post Office regulations. Frozen sera must be similarly packaged and shipped in dry ice. All costs must be met by the sender._
Contacts:
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 07/08/2015