title: [Diagnostic strategies in Hepatitis C virus infection].
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis. The World Health Organization estimates that 170 million people world-wide are infected with HCV; 70% of them will develop chronic hepatitis and 20-30% cirrhosis in 10-30 years. Of those with cirrhosis, an estimated 25-30% will develop liver cancer. Since the identification and molecular characterization of HCV in 1989, a variety of diagnostic tests based on the detection of hepatitis virus antibodies or HCV RNA in the serum have been developed. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA 3) and the recombinant immunoblot assays (RIBA 2nd and 3rd generation) exhibit improved sensitivity and specificity for HCV antibodies. Qualitative and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has allowed clinicians to track the natural history of HCV and to monitor the progress of therapy. This article reviews the state-of-the-art tests and assays developed for the diagnosis and management of HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Microbiologie, Facultatea de Medicina, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Iancu
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral