Third genration ELISA [ELSIA-3] versus recombinant immunoblot [RIBA] and polymerase chain reaction [PCR] in diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infections

ABSTRACT

Forty patients were selected, and their sera were tested for anti-hepatitis [C] virus [HCV] Ig[G] by both recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA] and third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA-[3]] and for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] to compare between them as diagnostic methods for HCV infection. Liver transaminases'level, alanin aminotransaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST], were also measured in all cases, 24 samples were positive by RIBA, 25 by ELISA-[3] and only 20 by PCR. On comparing the sensitivity and specificity of both RIBA and ELISA-[3] regarding PCR techinque, the two tests achieved 83.33% and 80% sensitivity respectively, while, both were 100% specific. A correlation was found between high levels of tranaminases and positive cases by both RIBA and ELISA-[3] [p<0.01] as well as PCR [P<0.05]. In conclusion, both RIBA and ELISA-[3] are reliable diagnostic tests, especially, when combined with raised liver transaminases. PCR is a tedious and expensive technique, however, it can be applied as a confirmatory test for doubtful cases and assessment of HCV - RNA seroconversion with antiviral therapy