Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- EDTA Whole Blood
Turnaround Time
14 daysSample Stability
Freshly drawn specimens (whole blood) may be held at 2 to 30°C for up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation.Plasma samples are stored for 2 years at -20°C.
Hepatitis B genotypic resistance testing
General Information
Genotypic HBV resistance testing is the current recommended method for determining drug resistance in HBV infection. Genotypic resistance data provides information on the presence/absence of drug resistance mutations, which is used as a predictor of virological response to therapy. This aids clinical decisions regarding therapy changes. Choosing the most appropriate therapy regime improves patient management and reduces the cost of care.
The methodology for genotypic HBV resistance testing involves extraction of DNA, amplification of the polymerase gene using a nested PCR, population sequencing, sequence analysis and resistance interpretation.
Patient Preparation
For taking blood samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.
Lavender top blood (EDTA) sample
- Sufficient blood for the test should be drawn into lavender topped (EDTA) vacuum tubes
- Invert tube 8–10 times.
The Hepatitis B genotypic resistance request form is available from the following link HBV GENOTYPIC RESISTANCE REQUEST FORM
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: QCMD