Comparison of Serological and Nucleic Acid Based Assays Used to Diagnose Hepatitis C Virus
Abstract
Background: This study reports a comparative diagnostic potential of three different assay systems used to detect HCV
infection in acute and chronic liver diseases.
Methods: A total number of 364 patients with various types of liver diseases were analyzed for hepatitis C virus (HCV) core
antigen using Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA), HCV-RNA by RT-PCR and anti-HCV antibodies by third generation EIA system.
Simultaneously these patients were also tested for markers of other hepatitis viruses, notably, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. In
some cases, even transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) was tested using TTV-DNA as the marker of TTV infection.
Results: Analysis of results demonstrated the presence of hepatitis B, C and E in different proportions of patients belonging to
these liver diseases. Hepatitis A and D infections could not be detected in these cases TTV infection was prevalent in different
liver diseases in different proportions. Though none of control sera demonstrated hepatitis A-E infection, however, TTV infection
was noted in control group also. When we analysed all the sera for HCV infection using these different assay systems, we found
HCV core, HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibodies in 18.3%, 18.3% and 5.83% cases of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), 13.3 %, 13.3%
and 46.6% cases of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), 23.8%, 23.8% and 23.8% cases with cirrhosis of liver and 20%, 17.5% and
10% cases respectively, of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) patients. Whereas HCV core and HCV-RNA assays were comparable
and predominantly positive in acute cases (AVH and FHF), anti-HCV antibodies were detected in high proportions in chronic
liver diseases. Cirrhosis patients showed all the markers in equal proportions. This pattern of HCV markers remains unaffected
by co-infection of HCV with other hepatitis viral infections.
Conclusion: In conclusion, where HCV core and HCV-RNA are best diagnostic markers in acute liver diseases, anti-HCV
diagnoses high proportion of HCV cases in chronic liver diseases. This diagnostic pattern is not changed on co-infection of HCV
with other viral infections.
Keywords: HCV, Core, Hepatitis, PCR, TTV.
infection in acute and chronic liver diseases.
Methods: A total number of 364 patients with various types of liver diseases were analyzed for hepatitis C virus (HCV) core
antigen using Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA), HCV-RNA by RT-PCR and anti-HCV antibodies by third generation EIA system.
Simultaneously these patients were also tested for markers of other hepatitis viruses, notably, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. In
some cases, even transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) was tested using TTV-DNA as the marker of TTV infection.
Results: Analysis of results demonstrated the presence of hepatitis B, C and E in different proportions of patients belonging to
these liver diseases. Hepatitis A and D infections could not be detected in these cases TTV infection was prevalent in different
liver diseases in different proportions. Though none of control sera demonstrated hepatitis A-E infection, however, TTV infection
was noted in control group also. When we analysed all the sera for HCV infection using these different assay systems, we found
HCV core, HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibodies in 18.3%, 18.3% and 5.83% cases of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), 13.3 %, 13.3%
and 46.6% cases of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), 23.8%, 23.8% and 23.8% cases with cirrhosis of liver and 20%, 17.5% and
10% cases respectively, of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) patients. Whereas HCV core and HCV-RNA assays were comparable
and predominantly positive in acute cases (AVH and FHF), anti-HCV antibodies were detected in high proportions in chronic
liver diseases. Cirrhosis patients showed all the markers in equal proportions. This pattern of HCV markers remains unaffected
by co-infection of HCV with other hepatitis viral infections.
Conclusion: In conclusion, where HCV core and HCV-RNA are best diagnostic markers in acute liver diseases, anti-HCV
diagnoses high proportion of HCV cases in chronic liver diseases. This diagnostic pattern is not changed on co-infection of HCV
with other viral infections.
Keywords: HCV, Core, Hepatitis, PCR, TTV.
Irshad, M., Dhar, I., Khushboo, _, Singh, S., & Kapoor, S. (2007). Comparison of Serological and Nucleic Acid Based Assays Used to Diagnose Hepatitis C Virus. International Journal of Health Sciences, 1(1). Retrieved from https://ijhs.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/105
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