Comparison of HCV core antigen and anti-HCV with HCV RNA results.

Ca Buket,K Selçuk,Sc Emel,O Süleyman,A Ayşe

doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.7

Abstract

The measurement of anti-HCV antibodies using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of the HCV infection. In this study, we aimed to analyse HCV core Antigen positivity among anti-HCV antibody positive sera to determine the significance of testing of HCV core Ag for the laboratory diagnosis of HCV infection, by considering the correlation between serum HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels. 115 patients suspected of having hepatitis C and who were positive for anti-HCV antibody were investigated using chemiluminescent and molecular methods. Anti-HCV antibody, HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels were detected by the Vitros ECiQ immunodiagnostic system, Architect i2000 system and RT-PCR, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy rate of HCV core Antigen assay were detected as 86.5%(83/96), 100%(19/19), 100%(83/83), 59.4%(19/32), 88.7%(102/115) respectively. HCV core Ag assay could be used for diagnosis of HCV infection as it is easy to perform, cost-effective, has high specificity and positive predictive value. However, it should be kept in mind that it may have lack of sensitivity and negative predictive value.

Highlights

The measurement of antibodies against hepatitis c virus (HCV) using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of HCV infection[1]
Serum samples which have been detected to be positive for anti-HCV antibody of 115 patients who had a prediagnosis of HCV infection were investigated for the presence of HCV core Ag and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) using chemiluminescent and molecular methods
Serological tests Anti-HCV antibody, HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels were detected by the Vitros ECiQ immunodiagnostic system (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA), Architect i2000 system (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) and real time polimerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Anatolia Diagnostics and Biotechnology Products Inc.), respectively

Summary

Introduction

The measurement of antibodies against hepatitis c virus (HCV) using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of HCV infection[1]. The most widely used virological test for the diagnosis of HCV infection is the measurement of anti-HCV antibody in serum, by using chemiluminescent immunoassay(CLIA) or enzyme immunoassay(EIA) method[1]. The measurement of anti-HCV antibodies using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of the HCV infection. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy rate of HCV core Antigen assay were detected as 86.5%(83/96), 100%(19/19), 100%(83/83), 59.4%(19/32), 88.7%(102/115) respectively.

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Conclusion