Analytical variables influencing the HCV RNA determination by TaqMan real-time PCR in routine clinical laboratory practice

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) quantification is used as a prognostic marker for treatment success. In a routine clinical laboratory some infinitesimal sample handling factors can contribute to variability and loss of precision in HCV quantification. This may include blood collection tubes, blood drawing procedure, sample processing and storage temperatures. In current study blood was collected in tubes with different anticoagulant type (spray vs. liquid), group 1, blood was drawn with possible suck of methylated spirit through needle (experimental group) while avoiding the methylated spirit suck (control group) group 2, plasma separation was delayed from 0 to 60 min for group 3, plasma storage at different temperatures group 4. All samples were analyzed using Corbett research real time PCR system using AJ Roboscreen Kit. Mean viral load difference between spray vs. liquid was found 3.6 × 105 IU/ml (p 0.05). In conclusion blood collection tubes and procedures can be a key factor in variability of results, that might affect the treatment response decision.