Evaluation of three kinds of assays for the presence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and the association of them with HCV RNA

Abstract

In order to evaluate the feasibility for the detection of antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HCV), the first generation assay (c100-3 Ab) and two second generation assays (2nd EIA and 2nd PHA) were used to test 477 individuals who visited the medical hospital or clinics in Iki Island, Nagasaki Prefecture. HCV RNA, antibody titer by 2nd PHA and four kinds of antibody to epitope of HCV by RIBA II were also surveyed to determine their association with these three assays. Prevalence of anti-HCV was 26.6% by c100-3, 38.8% by 2nd PHA and 39.6% by 2nd EIA, indications that the 2nd generation assays are much more sensitive than c100-3. Prevalence of HCV RNA was 82.1% among 190, anti-HCV positive individuals; 100% among 52 individuals with liver disease, but only 75.4% in those without liver disease. HCV antibody titer, over 2(11) was higher among those who were positive for HCV RNA than those negative for HCV RNA. Four antibodies by RIBA II were all positive and reacted strongly when they were positive for HCV RNA, but only antibody to core antigen was observed among those negative for HCV RNA, suggesting that only antibody to core antigen remains in those with past HCV infection.