Comparison of Two Commercial Screening Kits for Detection of Anti-HCV Antibody among Adult Patients in Osogbo, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Aims: A commercial rapid test kit for anti-Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV) detection was evaluated and compared for diagnosis of hepatitis C by detection of immunoglobulin G(IgG) antibodies against a third generation Enzyme Immunoassay(EIA) as gold standard. Methodology: A total of 560 patient serum samples were subjected to rapid screening with rapid test (immunochromatographic) strip supplied by Global Diagnostics and commercially prepared IgG capture EIA by DIA.PRO, Italy. Results: Of the 560 samples, anti HCV was detected in 31(5.54%) by ELISA, whereas only 17(3.04%) by strip method. This gives 100% specificity as no false positive was observed, but with 68.8% sensitivity. The number of false negative results was 14. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 97.42% respectively. Conclusion: The result pattern shows that sensitivity is compromised. It is therefore recommended that third generation ELISA is used for blood donors screening, to reduce transmission of hepatitis C virus through blood transfusion. When need arises to use strip for anti-HCV testing, such strip should be validated locally before its adoption because kits are directed against known range of strains of HCV and have minimum titer of antibody below which detection becomes impossible.