Close correlation between hepatitis C virus serology and polymerase chain reaction in chronically infected patients

The serodiagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was analyzed by a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) with recombinant proteins encoded by the viral RNA isolated from our patients in Hamburg, Germany. The HCV RNA was amplified by PCR, and proteins encoded by the viral core and the NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions were expressed subsequently in Escherichia coli. The results obtained with our UKE RIBA were compared with the results of the Abbott HCV second-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Serum samples from 270 patients, which were sent to us on the suspicion of HCV hepatitis and which were negative for hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus antibodies, were examined. In 227 cases (84.1%), there were identical positive (204 cases, 75.6%) or negative (23 cases, 8.5%) results in both tests. In 32 cases (11.9%), the reactive Abbott second-generation HCV EIA results could not be confirmed by the UKE RIBA and the HCV PCR. In follow-up studies conducted over 1 year, these results did not change. In three cases (1.1%), the UKE RIBA presented a positive result while the Abbott second-generation HCV EIA was negative. All three cases were positive in the HCV PCR and showed seroconversion in an HCV EIA 4 to 6 weeks later. In addition, 33 patient serum samples were examined by UKE RIBA in parallel with the Ortho RIBA 2.0. In three cases (9.1%), a positive Ortho RIBA 2.0 result could not be confirmed by the UKE RIBA and the HCV PCR. All three patients were free of complaints. The UKE RIBA showed also a smaller number of indeterminate results (3.0%) than the Ortho RIBA 2.0 (24.2%). This comparison study demonstrates that the commercially available HCV antibody tests should be further improved.

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“…PCR. PCR was performed as previously described (16). Briefly, RNA was extracted by the guanidium thiocyanate-phenol method (4).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on reliability of commercially available hepatitis C virus antibody tests

et al. 1995

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“…[9][10][11] The sensitivity of available HCV antibody kits is not enough to detect all patients with hepatitis C viremia and to exclude transmission of HCV infection, even when HCV-Ab is nonreactive. In a 1992 study by Prince et al, 12 only 13 patients out of 19 (68%) were detected by the most sensitive of the serological assays.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Disease Markers in Blood Donors at King Fahad Hospital, AL BAHA

Omar

Zuebi

1996

Ann Saudi Med

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A total of 4683 donated blood units were screened for HCV-Ab, HBs-Ag, HIV-Ab, VDRL, malaria parasites and ALT between January 1993 and April 1994. Of the blood units, 7.7% were positive for one or two hepatitis markers (HCV-Ab, HBs-Ag), while 4.6% were positive for HCV antibody, and 3.3% of the 4.6% were accounted for by Egyptian blood donors. Thus, 73% of all positive blood units for HCV-Ab were from Egyptian donors, while the rate of positive blood units for Saudi blood donors was 0.9%. Three and one-tenth percent of the total blood units were positive for HBs antigen, 2.3% from the Saudi population. Thus, 75% of all positive blood units were from Saudi donors. The percentage for HBs-Ag blood units for Egyptians was 0.3%. The exact prevalence of HCV-Abpositive blood units among Saudis was 1.2% and HBs-Ag-positive units was 3.3%. Prevalence of HCV-Ab-reactive blood units among Egyptians was 34% and HBs-Ag-positive units was 3.3%. HCV-RNA using PCR was detected in a total of 86% of the individuals reactive to HCV antibody. Forty-three percent of hepatitis-B-and/or C-reactive blood donors had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Elevated ALT was observed in a higher percentage among HCV-Ab-reactive blood donors as compared to HBs-Ag-reactive donors. Blood donors are a major source of diseases, especially viral infection. The most common blood-transmitted viruses are HBV, HCV and HIV. These viruses cause fatal disease and chronic and life-threatening disorders. Local, not imported, donated blood units at King Fahad Hospital, Al Baha, are screened for HCV-Ab, HBs-Ag, HIVantibody, VDRL, malaria parasites and liver function (alanine aminotransferase, or ALT). If blood units were reactive to any one parameter, they were rejected and the donor was advised to visit the internal medicine clinic. IgG antibody to HCV was detected in 93% of acute and 91% of chronic non-A non-B hepatitis cases.1 This finding points to the possibility of transmission of HCV even when blood units are nonreactive to HCV-Ab. The introduction of the ALT value as a parameter will help to reduce the risk of transmitting HCV through transfusion. ALT value greater than the upper limit (65 U/L) by factor 1.5 (97 U/L) was taken as the criterion for rejecting the blood unit. Repeated ALT value greater than 97 U/L by a second blood donation from the same donor was considered as permanent rejection for any blood donation in the future. Excluding the use of donated blood with abnormal ALT results may have reduced the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis. 2The prevalence of HBV or HCV varies by nationality and geography. The prevalence of HBV infection among Saudi donors is known to be about three times higher than the incidence of HCV infection 3,4 and the prevalence of HCV infection among Egyptian donors is high as well. 5,6 The prevalence of HCV antibody among Saudi blood donors at four hospitals in the Riyadh area ranges between 1.0 to 1.7%, averaging 1.3%. 3,4,7,8 Material and MethodFour thousand, six hundred and eighty-three donated blood unit...

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“…In the beginning of the 1990s, the direct detection of HCV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allowed to estimate the true frequency of HCV infection in blood donors [19,20]. As was predictable, studies reported patients who were PCR-positive and negative by serologic tests, notably in the period following HCT [21,22].…”

Section: Hcv Diagnosis In the Context Of Hctmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant in HCV-infected patients

Latour

Ribaud

Robin

et al. 2008

Journal of Hepatology

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. After allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT), HCV is known to be associated with transient hepatitis in the immediate post-transplant period, and a potential risk factor of veno-occlusive disease (SOS). Very recently, HCV-infected HCT recipients have been shown to be at higher risk of earlier cirrhosis, leading to greater morbidity and mortality. Long-term survivors after HCT are thus at a high risk for HCV-related complications and, as a consequence, the treatment of HCV infection becomes critical. We describe here the potential clinical complications in HCV-infected recipients, in the short, but also the long-term follow-up after HCT. The pathophysiology of liver fibrosis is discussed as well as the present recommended therapy in this particular population.

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Close correlation between hepatitis C virus serology and polymerase chain reaction in chronically infected patients

Cited by 19 publications

References 16 publications

Study on reliability of commercially available hepatitis C virus antibody tests

Study on reliability of commercially available hepatitis C virus antibody tests

Disease Markers in Blood Donors at King Fahad Hospital, AL BAHA

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant in HCV-infected patients

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