title: Diagnostic tests for hepatitis C.
abstract: Two categories of virological assays are in practice used for the diagnosis and management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including serological and molecular biology-based assays. Serological assays include: screening tests based on enzyme immunoassays (EIAs); supplemental "analytical" assays based on immunoblot testing; and serological assays detecting genotype-specific antibodies for the serological determination of HCV genotype, so-called "serotyping" assays. Molecular assays include: qualitative assays, detecting HCV RNA in body fluids; quantitative assays measuring HCV viral load, a parameter that estimates the level of HCV replication in the liver; and tests analyzing the sequence of HCV genomes (genotyping assays).
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology and Virology and INSERM U99, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris XII, Créteil, France. pawlotsky@univ-paris12.fr
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pawlotsky
mesh_terms: D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral