UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 E1W1, Ireland Tel: +353 1 7164401, Email: nvrl@ucd.ie
Reason for Notification:
Further to the previous notice issued on 19th December 2025, the NVRL will be moving bloodborne virus testing (HBV, HCV and HIV viral loads) to the Roche Cobas® system in the week beginning 23rd February 2026.
At this time, the new test codes (CHIV, CHBV and CHCV, respectively) will come into effect.
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New code CHIV - "HIV-1 RNA (Roche) " replacing MHIV - "HIV-1 Viral Load (Abbott) " |
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New code CHBV - "HBV DNA (Roche)" replacing HBVA - "Hepatitis B DNA (Abbott)" |
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New code CHCV - "HCV RNA (Roche)" replacing HCVA - "Hepatitis C RNA (Abbott)" |
Please note, the new assays will have the following lower limits of quantification as standard
HBV: CHBV: 25 IU/ml
HCV: CHCV: 40 IU/ml
HIV: CHIV: 50 copies/ml.
While performance of the new assays is comparable to the outgoing Abbott tests, users may wish to consider sending additional samples from patients under active monitoring, to establish a new baseline. Please contact the NVRL Clinical team if you have any queries.
Phone 01-7164401, and select option 2.
NVRL reference: CN-26-3