[The examinations associating with hepatitis C virus and medical reimbursement].
The number of persons infected with hepatitis C virus(HCV) is estimated to be about one to two million in Japan. Recently researchers have shown a growing interest in HCV, since the virus infection may cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The examinations for HCV can be divided into host factor and virus factor detection methods. Classification and cost of HCV tests are shown. Antibody tests as host factor detection are used to screen for infection, for auxiliary diagnosis of viremia and for choosing treatment. Virus factor tests, such as the measurement of the viral load can be used for choosing treatment and determining the response to therapy. We describe that usage of laboratory tests for HCV and discuss medical insurance coverage.
Kawata
K
K
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023.
Fukutake
K
K
D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007564:Japan