Hepatitis C – Diagnostic Serology

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

Background
This page provides serology testing information for hepatitis C virus (HCV) at Public Health Ontario (PHO). For information regarding other testing options, refer to the following PHO webpages:

Updates

HCV RNA viral load reflex testing has been expanded. Please see the test algorithm and interpretation sections for details.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 01 May 2025.

Testing Indications

Testing for HCV antibody is indicated for:

Suspected chronic or acute viral hepatitis
Unexplained elevated liver function tests (e.g. ALT, AST)
Screening those at high risk of infection (e.g. intravenous drug users, individuals in correctional facilities, etc.)
Determining past exposure, needle-stick or occupational exposure
Epidemiologic investigation (e.g. infection control breach or outbreak situation)

Testing should not be conducted for the investigation of immunity as the presence of HCV antibody does not correlate with protection against HCV.

Acceptance/Rejection Criteria

Donor testing is not available through PHO’s laboratory. Specimens from patients being screened as potential donors (e.g. organ, tissue, cells, fertility, etc.) should be referred to a laboratory that performs donor screening assays. Specimens received for donor screening at PHO’s laboratory will be rejected.
Specimens received more than 7 days post collection will not be tested.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
HCV Serology	General Test Requisition	Serum	1.5 mL	Serum Separator Tube (SST)

Submission and Collection Notes

Complete all fields of the requisition form, including:

Test(s) requests and reason for testing
Patient setting, specimen type and site
Relevant clinical information

Label the specimen container(s) with the patient’s first and last name, date of collection, and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. For additional information see: Criteria for Acceptance of Patient Specimens. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Submit centrifuged serum separator tubes (SST) for serological assays. Centrifugation within 24 hours of collection is optimal for HCV RNA reflex testing.

One FULL 5 ml SST is required for testing a combination of hepatitis virus markers, HTLV, syphilis and rubella. If a full tube cannot be drawn, submit two tubes.

Refer to Serology Testing – Laboratory Specimen Collection and Submission Instructions for more information.

Do not submit glass tubes.

Limitations

Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated serum is not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

Place specimen tube in biohazard bag and seal. Place completed General Test Requisition in the pouch at the front of the biohazard bag.

Specimen tubes should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and centrifugation, and should be shipped to PHO’s laboratory on ice packs within 3 days of collection. If delayed shipping is anticipated, remove serum from clot and store frozen at -20°C or colder, and ship on dry ice.

All clinical specimens must be shipped in accordance to the Transportation of Dangerous Good Act.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

HCV serology testing is performed daily Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 3 business days from receipt of the specimen at PHO’s laboratory for non-reactive specimens and up to 6 business days for reactive and indeterminate specimens.

Test Methods

HCV serology testing is performed using two different tests:

HCV antibody screen: chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for the qualitative detection of HCV antibody in human serum. This test does not distinguish between IgG and IgM.
HCV antibody supplemental test: chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) for qualitative detection of HCV antibody in human serum. This test only detects IgG.

Algorithm

Hepatits C Virus (HCV) Antibody Testing Algorithm: A flow chart illustrating the testing sequence for HCV antibody at Public Health Ontario.

Interpretation

Results should be interpreted in the context of the clinical and exposure history, signs and symptoms of the patient. The table below provides a general overview of possible interpretations. A PHO Microbiologist is available for questions about HCV serology results and interpretations.

HCV Antibody Screening Result	HCV Antibody Supplemental Result	Possible Interpretations/Comments
Non-reactive	Not tested	No evidence of HCV antibody. No prior exposure to HCV. Possible acute HCV infection window period. HCV RNA viral load testing is recommended for patients who have had recent exposure or are suspected to be in the window period.¹
Indeterminate Reactive Reactive	Not tested Non-reactive Indeterminate	Inconclusive for HCV antibody. Patients that have a first-time HCV antibody inconclusive result will be tested for HCV RNA viral load automatically. For patients with repeatedly inconclusive HCV antibody results, no further testing is recommended if two inconclusive HCV antibody and undetectable HCV RNA viral load results are obtained 6-8 weeks apart. For infants, the HCV IgG antibody detected may represent transfer of maternal antibodies which may persist for up to 18 months.
Reactive Reactive	Reactive Not tested²	Evidence of HCV antibody. The presence of HCV antibody does not indicate immunity but suggests prior exposure to HCV. For infants, the HCV IgG antibody detected may represent transfer of maternal antibodies which may persist for up to 18 months. Patients that are first-time HCV antibody reactive or who are known to be HCV antibody reactive but do not have a history of HCV RNA testing are automatically tested for HCV RNA viral load (i.e. RNA reflex testing).

HCV Antibody Screening Result

HCV Antibody Supplemental Result

Possible Interpretations/Comments

Non-reactive

Not tested

No evidence of HCV antibody.
No prior exposure to HCV.
Possible acute HCV infection window period. HCV RNA viral load testing is recommended for patients who have had recent exposure or are suspected to be in the window period.¹

Indeterminate

Reactive

Not tested

Non-reactive

Indeterminate

Inconclusive for HCV antibody.
Patients that have a first-time HCV antibody inconclusive result will be tested for HCV RNA viral load automatically.
For patients with repeatedly inconclusive HCV antibody results, no further testing is recommended if two inconclusive HCV antibody and undetectable HCV RNA viral load results are obtained 6-8 weeks apart.
For infants, the HCV IgG antibody detected may represent transfer of maternal antibodies which may persist for up to 18 months.

Reactive

Not tested²

Evidence of HCV antibody.
The presence of HCV antibody does not indicate immunity but suggests prior exposure to HCV.
For infants, the HCV IgG antibody detected may represent transfer of maternal antibodies which may persist for up to 18 months.
Patients that are first-time HCV antibody reactive or who are known to be HCV antibody reactive but do not have a history of HCV RNA testing are automatically tested for HCV RNA viral load (i.e. RNA reflex testing).

¹For infants, testing for HCV RNA earlier than 6 weeks of age is not recommended as assay sensitivity is limited before that age.
²HCV antibody supplemental testing will not be performed if the S/CO value is above PHO’s internally established threshold or if the patient has a history of a reactive HCV antibody result.

Reporting

Results are reported to the physician, authorized health care provider (General O. Reg 45/22, s.18) or submitter as indicated on the requisition.

Specimens that are reactive for HCV antibody are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. Only first-time reactive HCV antibody results are reported since HCV antibody generally remains detectable for life.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 01 May 2025.

Contact Laboratory Customer Service

Microbiology and Laboratory Services

customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

Updated 19 April 2024