Rapid method for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the usefulness of a simple, rapid, qualitative technique (MedMira Rapid Test) to detect antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and compare this approach with an immunometric technique in patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with different genotypes.


METHODS
anti-HCV antibodies were determined with the MedMira rapid technique and an immunometric method in samples from 138 patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with different HCV genotypes, and in 50 samples from healthy individuals.


RESULTS
the MedMira rapid technique detected anti-HCV antibodies in 135 (98%) of 138 serum samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C, whereas the immunometric method gave positive results in all 138 samples. Three of the 138 anti-HCV-positive samples identified with the immunometric method and confirmed by inmunoblotting were repeatedly negative with the MedMira rapid technique. Two of these samples were genotype 1 and the third was not genotyped. All samples from the control group were negative for anti-HCV antibodies by both methods. The sensitivity and specificity of the MedMira rapid technique relative to the immunometric technique were 98% and 100% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
the MedMira rapid technique is a quick, specific and sensitive method that is easy to use by nonspecialized personnel, and is a good alternative to other, slower methods for the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C.
Buti
M
M
Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital "Vall d'Hebron", Barcelona, 08035, España.
Cotrina
M
M
Chan
H
H
Jardí
R
R
Rodríguez
F
F
Costa
X
X
Esteban
R
R
Guàrdia
J
J
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies