Performance of ANTI-HCV testing in dried blood spots and saliva according to HIV status.
The use of saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) could increase access to HCV diagnosis for high-risk populations, such as HIV-infected individuals, but the performance of these assays has not been well established in this group. This study aims to evaluate HIV status, particularly TCD4+cell count and viral load, in the performance of anti-HCV testing using DBS and saliva. A total of 961 individuals classified as HCV+, HIV+, or HIV/HCV+, as well as negative controls, donated serum, DBS, and saliva samples for anti-HCV testing using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Sample volume was modified for DBS and saliva, and an ROC curve was used for cut-off determination in saliva. Anti-HCV sensitivities were greater than 93% using DBS and saliva in the HCV+ group, while they were 83.3% and 95.6% for HCV/HIV+ individuals for DBS and saliva assays, respectively. Specificity varied from 91.7% to 100% using saliva and DBS in HIV monoinfected and control subjects. When only anti-HCV/HCV RNA+ serum samples, that is, true positives, were considered, the sensitivities were 98.3% and 100% for DBS and saliva, respectively, in the HCV+ group and 91.6% and 94.8% for DBS and saliva, respectively, in the HIV/HCV+ group. High absorbance values were observed among those presenting with HCV RNA in serum and low HIV viral load (less than 50 copies/mL). In conclusion, DBS and saliva samples could be used for anti-HCV detection, particularly to identify active HCV cases, but low sensitivity was observed for anti-HCV testing using DBS in the HIV/HCV+ group.
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Geane Lopes
GL
Flores
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Helena Medina
HM
Cruz
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Vanessa Alves
VA
Marques
Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Cristiane Alves
CA
Villela-Nogueira
Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Denise Vigo
DV
Potsch
Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Silvia Beatriz
SB
May
Gaffree and Guinle Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Carlos Eduardo
CE
Brandão-Mello
Gaffree and Guinle Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Marcia Maria Amendola
MMA
Pires
Nova Iguaçu General Hospital & AIDS and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jose Henrique
JH
Pilotto
Brasilia University, Brasilia, Brazil.
Priscila
P
Pollo-Flores
Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Eliane Bordalo Cathalá
EBC
Esberard
Center of Guidance and Advisor (COA), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Claudia
C
Ivantes
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lia Laura
LL
Lewis-Ximenez
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Elisabeth
E
Lampe
Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Livia Melo
0000-0001-7644-8969
LM
Villar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001769:Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003890:Desiccation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019562:Viral Load
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
dried blood spot; enzyme immunoassay; hepatitis C virus; human immunodeficiency virus; saliva