title: Early detection of hepatitis C virus infection by use of a new combined antigen-antibody detection assay: potential use for high-risk individuals.
abstract: The performance of a new combined antigen-antibody assay (Monolisa HCV Ag-Ab Ultra; Bio-Rad Laboratories) was evaluated in the context of acute hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. The combined assay became positive as early as the first PCR and earlier than a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 65% of the cases. Reduction of the long period of HCV seronegativity should improve the diagnosis of hepatitis C infection, especially in high-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, 83, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris Cedex 13, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnuriger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valantin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tubiana
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duvivier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghosn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katlama
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thibault
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic