[Detection of hepatitis C virus antigen in hemodialysis patients].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the utility of the HCV core antigen ELISA in the detection of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients and to compare with Anti-HCV antibodies 3rd generation ELISA.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty hemodialysis patients were included in the study. Anti-HCV antibodies and total HCVcAg was determined by ELISA kits. HCV RNA was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Forty-three out of 250 (17.2%) patients were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and 18% were positive for HCVcAg. 13/250 (5.2%) were positive for HCVcAg but anti-HCV negative, All 13 were confirmed viremic by in-house nested RT-PCR leading to specificity of 100%. Viral load of (49258 +/- 28682) copies/ml were detected in HCVcAg positive cases was higher in comparison to (23938 +/- 10780) copies/ml in the anti-HCV positive group (P < 0.05). The viral load of 4 negative cases for HCVcAg assay but anti-HCV positive was 306 +/- 161 copies/ml which was significantly lower in comparison to HCVcAg positive group (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of total HCVcAg together with anti-HCV will be useful for patients undergoing hemodialysis who have a longer window period due to immunosuppressed state. HCVcAg was compatible for the HCV RNA in serum and total HCVcAg ELISA is both a cost-effective and a less labor-intensive alternative to PCR, enhancing its clinical utility.
Wu
Rong-Hui
RH
The Yiwu Central Hospital of Zhejiang, Yiwu 322000, China. wrh056@163.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens