Evaluation of third-generation hepatitis C antibody assay in chronic hepatitis C and chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis.
Second-generation hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody assays are more sensitive and specific than first-generation assays in the detection of HCV infection; such tests are widely used. However, there are still HCV-infected patients who test seronegative for anti-HCV even by second-generation assays. In this study we evaluated the performance of the new third-generation HCV assay (HCV 3.0) in 230 individuals with different second-generation anti-HCV (HCV 2.0) and HCV RNA patterns. Our results showed the followings: only one healthy adult had a discrepant result in 200 subjects negative (group I) or positive (group II) for HCV 2.0 and HCV RNA; 7 of 13 (54%) HCV 2.0-negative but HCV RNA-positive patients (group III) were HCV 3.0-positive; two of 17 (12%) so-called chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis patients (group IV) were positive for HCV 3.0. We conclude that third-generation anti-HCV assays are more sensitive and specific than second-generation assays in the detection of chronic HCV infection; however false-positive results may be observed among low-risk healthy persons.
Kao
J H
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Yang
P M
PM
Lai
M Y
MY
Chen
P J
PJ
Wang
T H
TH
Chen
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic