Hepatitis A – Genotyping-Subtyping

Limitations

Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Centrifuge the SST/EDTA tube and transfer serum/plasma to a cryovial. Store serum/plasma specimen frozen at <-60°C following collection. Place specimen in a biohazard bag and seal. Ship to PHO laboratory frozen on dry ice or ice packs. Minimum specimen volume to the National Medical Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is 1.0 mL.

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Hepatitis A – genotyping specimens are shipped to NML weekly.

Turnaround time is up to 21 days.

Hepatitis A – Genotyping Tests are referred to the Public Health Agency of Canada – National Microbiology Lab (NML), Molecular, Immunodiagnostics, Bloodborne Pathogens and Hepatitis Section:

Phone: (204) 789-6062
Fax: (204) 789-2082
Email: NMLBloodbornePathogens@phac-aspc.gc.ca  

Hepatitis A Genotype testing is performed by conventional RT- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition. Results are also reported to local MOH where the patient is residing.