title: Comparison of HCV core antigen and anti-HCV with HCV RNA results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The measurement of anti-HCV antibodies using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of the HCV infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we aimed to analyse HCV core Antigen positivity among anti-HCV antibody positive sera to determine the significance of testing of HCV core Ag for the laboratory diagnosis of HCV infection, by considering the correlation between serum HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  115 patients suspected of having hepatitis C and who were positive for anti-HCV antibody were investigated using chemiluminescent and molecular methods. Anti-HCV antibody, HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels were detected by the Vitros ECiQ immunodiagnostic system, Architect i2000 system and RT-PCR, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy rate of HCV core Antigen assay were detected as 86.5%(83/96), 100%(19/19), 100%(83/83), 59.4%(19/32), 88.7%(102/115) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV core Ag assay could be used for diagnosis of HCV infection as it is easy to perform, cost-effective, has high specificity and positive predictive value. However, it should be kept in mind that it may have lack of sensitivity and negative predictive value.
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department.
authors.forename: Cicioğlu Arıdoğan
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Buket
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department.
authors.forename: Aynali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayşe
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department.
authors.forename: Kaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Selçuk
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department.
authors.forename: Önal
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Süleyman
authors.affiliation: Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department.
authors.forename: Sesli Çetin
authors.initials: SÇ
authors.lastname: Emel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014758:Viral Core Proteins
keywords: HCV; HCV RNA; HCV core Ag; anti-HCV antibody
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