Abstract
Detection of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or detection of HCV RNA by nucleic acid testing (NAT) are the commonly utilized methods for detecting exposure to HCV in both blood screening and diagnostic laboratories. While several HCV core antigen tests have been developed over the last 10 years, these assays have not gained wide acceptance in routine laboratory practices, due in part to inadequate sensitivity. Over the last several years, improvements have been made in the formulation of the HCV core antigen assays that have resulted in significant sensitivity improvements. Recent studies indicate that between 85% and 98% of preseroconversion samples that are HCV RNA positive are detected with the improved HCV core antigen assays. These improved assays include stand-alone HCV core antigen tests and HCV antigen/antibody combination tests. As such, these assays could provide an alternative to HCV NAT in blood banks where such testing has not already been implemented, and may be utilized in diagnostic laboratories to identify early HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 79:S54–S58, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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