[Detection of HCV antigen in the serum by immunodotting].
OBJECTIVE
To set up a simple and rapid screening method of early detection for HCV infection.


METHODS
The HRP-anti-HCV monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) conjugate was prepared by anti-HCV-core and anti-HCV-NS3 mAb with high specificity. HCV antigens in the sera from hepatitis patients and normal persons were detected by immunodotting and compared by double antibody ELISA and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The positive ratio for HCV antigen was 15.4% (8/52), 1.73% (19/1099) and 1.03% (1/97) in hepatitis C patients, hepatitis B patients and hepatitis NA-NE patients, respectively. The results for HCV antigen were negative in hepatitis A patients (0/81), hepatitis E patients (0/67) and normal persons (0/50). There was no significant difference among the immunodotting and double antibody ELISA and RT-PCR. There was definite correlation between the immunodotting and RT-PCR.


CONCLUSIONS
This method, simple and rapid with high specificity, provides an effective way for the early diagnosis and routine detection of HCV.
Shi
Hong-bo
HB
Beijing Municipal Hepatitis Institute, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100054, China. shb780727@tom.com
Xie
Li
L
Huang
De-zhuang
DZ
He
Li-xiang
LX
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins