Evaluation of some available hcv antibody detection tests [elisa, chemiluminescence, immune assay] and rt-pcr assay in the diagnosis of hepatitis c virus infection

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of diagnosis of viral infection is to allow the infected persons to be identified and treated and to prevent blood-transfusion infection. Majority of primary HCV-infected patients are asymptomatic, thus, symptoms could not be used as specific indicators for HCV infection. HCV viremia could still exist despite a normal serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level. Therefore, virological methods rather than ALT levels are used to diagnose HCV infection. The diagnosis of HCV infection is mainly based on the detection of anti-HCV antibodies by the enzyme immunoassay[EIA] or Chemiluminescence immunoassay [CIA] of serum samples. These anti-HCV assays are used as a screening test, while PCR is essential for detection of screening test falsity. The presence of HCV-RNA in the serum is a reliable marker of viremia. Universal standardization for HCV-RNA titer is important for diagnosis and follow up