Hepatitis C core antigen testing: a reliable, quick, and potentially cost-effective alternative to hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction in diagnosing acute hepatitis C virus infection

Clin Infect Dis. 2015 Jan 15;60(2):263-6. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu782. Epub 2014 Oct 9.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasingly common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men. We evaluated the efficacy of HCV core antigen in diagnosing acute HCV in an HIV-infected cohort. Compared with HCV polymerase chain reaction, core antigen proved sensitive (100%) and specific (97.9%). As a quick, simple, and cost-effective test, it has considerable utility in screening for acute HCV.

Keywords: PCR; acute hepatitis C; diagnosis; hepatitis C core antigen.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / economics*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / economics
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / economics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Core Proteins / blood*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Core Proteins
  • nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus