Analytical evaluation of HCV core antigen and interest for HCV screening in haemodialysis patients

The Efficiency of Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen Test in the Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Infection

“…However, when the level of serum HCV RNA has decreased, number of false-negative results of HCV core antigen assay have increased (21,22,23,24). In this study, three serum samples with a low level of HCV RNA (1.5x10 1 IU/mL, 2.7x10 1 IU/mL and 2.57 x10 3 IU/mL) were detected with positive HCV RNA and negative HCV core antigen.…”

“…These results were consistent with that of similar previous studies. Daniel et al (27) found 85.3% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity, Miedouge et al (23) found 100% sensitivity and 99.2% specificity, …”

An Overview of the Laboratory Assay Systems and Reactives Used in the Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections

“…HCV core antigen test may be used as a second line confirmatory test alternative to HCV RNA. 23,28,29 It is also needed as a preconfirmatory test for anti-HCV results and to distinguish false positives from the accurate ones. This is because it is easy to perform, reliable, has a high specificity and sensitivity rate, is cost effective, is able to shorten the duration of the diagnosis of patients during the window period and has a lower risk of laboratory contamination than assays based on nucleic acid amplification technology.…”

“…To minimize the likelihood of false-positive anti-HCV results, the CDC has recommended the confirmation of all anti-HCV results by either RIBA or HCV RNA assay. 28,29 HCV RNA is the earliest marker of infection, and a direct indicator of ongoing viral replication. It appears 1 to 2 weeks after infection before any alterations in liver enzyme levels and appearance of anti-HCV antibodies can be detected.…”

Correlation between hepatitis C viral load and hepatitis C Core antigenaemia among Egyptians

“…Total serum HCVcAg can be detected using an ELISA-based test. HCVcAg is considered a surrogate marker of HCV replication and can be detected on average 1-2 days after HCV-RNA during the pre-seroconversion period (7). Compared with RT-PCR for the detection of HCV-RNA, the detection of HCVcAg using ELISA is a simple and cost-effective test (8) which does not require specialized equipment or expertise to perform.…”