Abstract
Background The diagnosis of acute hepatitis C (AHC) is based on seroconversion to positive anti-HCV, which is usually not clinically possible. Objective To determine if avidity of anti-HCV IgG can be used for the diagnosis of AHC infection. Study design We enrolled 40 consecutive patients with AHC, 16 drug addicts (IVDA) with exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C (IVDA e-CHC group), 21 non-IVDA with exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C (IVDA-free e-CHC group) and 40 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC group). HCV avidity index (HCV-AI) was determined by ELISA on sera pre-diluted 1:10 with 1M guanidine. Results On admission, HCV-AI values were significantly lower in the AHC group (mean ± S.D.: 0.50 ± 0.30) than in IVDA-free e-CHC group (0.97 ± 0.08, p < 0.0001), IVDA e-CHC group (0.90 ± 0.29, p < 0.0001) or CHC group (1.06 ± 0.20, p < 0.0001). An HCV-AI lower than 0.7 obtained within the 8th day of illness distinguished patients with AHC infection from the IVDA-free e-CHC cases. An increase in HCV-AI was observed in 24 (72.7%) of 33 in AHC group, in none of 13 in IVDA-free e-CHC group and in 3 (27.3%) of 11 in IVDA e-CHC group. Conclusion HCV-AI is useful in identifying AHC infection in patients observed within the 8th day from the onset of symptoms.
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