HBV DNA PCR & Genotyping Tests | Thyrocare Jamshedpur

The HBV Qualitative PCR test is a foundational tool for confirming the presence of an active HBV infection. It provides a simple, binary answer: Is the virus’s DNA detected in your specimen, or is it not? This test has diagnostic utility for patients who have inconclusive serology results, especially in cases of chronic hepatitis B infection and in HBV carriers.

Test Specifications

• Test Name: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Qualitative PCR
• Methodology: Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Clinical Significance: Detection of HBV DNA in human plasma/serum of patients with hepatitis B infection and in HBV carriers.
• Lower Detection Limit: The lower detection limit of the assay is 150 IU/mL.

Interpreting Your Results

• Detected: HBV DNA was identified in the patient specimen.
• Not Detected: HBV DNA was not found in the sample or was present below the assay’s detection limit.

Important Note: This test is for diagnosis and not intended for monitoring the progression of the disease or the response to treatment. It should be used in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers.

For a deeper understanding of the infection, the HBV Quantitative PCR test is the next logical step. It moves beyond a simple “yes or no” to provide a precise numerical value of the viral load. This quantitative assessment is an essential prognostic indicator and a key marker for measuring the therapeutic response and the development of resistance to antiviral agents.

Test Specifications

• Test Name: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Quantitative PCR
• Methodology: Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
• Clinical Significance: Quantification of HBV DNA in human plasma/serum of patients with HBV infection and monitoring disease progression and response to anti-HBV therapy.
• Lower Detection Limit: The lower limit of detection of this assay is 32 IU/mL. The linear range of detection is 32 to 109 IU/mL.

Interpreting Your Results

The results are expressed in IU/mL and a Log_10 Value. A quantitative result indicates the degree of active HBV viral replication in the patient. The report categorizes the viral load for easy interpretation:

• Target Not Detected (TND): HBV DNA was not identified in the specimen.
• <150 IU/mL: HBV DNA was detected but is below the assay’s linear range.
• 150 to 1.00times107 IU/mL: HBV DNA was detected within the linear range of the assay.
• >1.00times107 IU/mL: HBV DNA was detected above the linear range of the assay.

Monitoring HBV DNA levels over time is important for assessing disease progression or a patient’s response to anti-HBV therapy. A “Detected” result with the comment, “HBV DNA level is >109 IU/mL”, indicates that the HBV DNA level is above the upper limit of quantification for this assay. An “Undetected” HBV DNA test result in conjunction with a positive anti-HBV antibody status does not exclude the possibility of a resolved HBV infection. When clinically indicated, patients should be retested for HBV DNA in 4 to 8 weeks to distinguish between past/resolved HBV infection and chronic HBV infection with episodic viral replication.

This comprehensive and high-end test is crucial for providing a detailed, accurate, and informed basis for treatment. It combines the quantitative viral load assessment with DNA sequencing and genotyping. The genotypic information is critical for clinicians to tailor the most effective and specific antiviral therapy for each patient. This is especially important for cases of chronic HBV infection, where a long-term treatment plan is required. For this test to be possible, the viral load of the patient must be high enough for the genotype to be identified.

A Qualitative PCR test is used to detect the presence of HBV DNA in your blood, providing a simple “detected” or “not detected” result. It is a diagnostic tool to confirm an active infection. A Quantitative PCR test, on the other hand, measures the exact amount of HBV DNA in your blood, giving a numerical value known as the viral load. This test helps doctors monitor the severity of the infection and assess how well a patient is responding to treatment.

No, the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Quantitative PCR test is not intended for the initial diagnosis or confirmation of an HBV infection. It is primarily used for the clinical management of patients with chronic HBV infection who are undergoing antiviral therapy. The test measures HBV DNA levels at baseline and throughout treatment to aid in assessing the response to the therapy.

The HBV viral load indicates the degree of active viral replication in your body. A high viral load suggests that the virus is actively reproducing and may increase the risk of liver damage. Your results will be expressed in IU/mL and may fall into several ranges, from “Target Not Detected” to levels that are detected within or above the assay’s linear range.

HBV genotyping is crucial for determining the specific strain or genotype of the Hepatitis B virus you have. The genotypic information is critical for clinicians to tailor the most effective and specific antiviral therapy for each patient, especially in cases of chronic infection requiring a long-term treatment plan.

At Thyrocare, we operate a fully automated, 24/7 laboratory system. This allows for a quick turnaround time, with 98% of reports released within 6 hours after the samples reach the lab.

No, fasting is not required for any of the HBV tests offered by Thyrocare, including the Qualitative PCR, Quantitative PCR, and Genotyping tests.

Thyrocare is committed to providing accurate and reliable results. Our labs are accredited by prestigious international and national bodies, including the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and NABL. In fact, we are the first national diagnostic chain to have 100% of our labs with NABL accreditation. A survey on doctors’ perceptions of laboratory diagnostics found that 9 out of 10 doctors trust Thyrocare reports for their accuracy and reliability. The performance of these tests has also been validated at the Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory at Thyrocare Technologies Limited in Navi Mumbai.

Thyrocare offers convenient home sample collection. After you book a test, a qualified technician will be assigned for a free home sample collection. Our phlebotomists follow strict safety protocols. The collected sample is then transported to our laboratory for testing, and the soft copy of your report will be sent to your email address.

Yes, it is possible for test results to vary from one laboratory to another or even over time for the same patient. If your results show an unexpected abnormality, reconfirmation is recommended.