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[Qualitative detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen in the serum in patients with chronic hepatitis C]

Yi Ouyang1, De-ming Tan, Tie-gang Li

  • 1Departerment of Infectious Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical Sciences
|January 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen detected by ELISA shows high specificity and is related to HCV RNA. This marker may be useful for detecting HCV viraemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Context:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
  • Accurate and accessible diagnostic markers are crucial for managing chronic hepatitis C.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used diagnostic technique.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the clinical significance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen detected by ELISA.
  • To assess the specificity and correlation of HCV core antigen with HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibodies.

Summary:

  • Serum HCV core antigen was detected using ELISA in 149 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 20 with chronic hepatitis B, and 20 healthy volunteers.
  • HCV core antigen was negative in all patients with chronic hepatitis B and healthy volunteers, indicating high specificity.
  • The positive rate of HCV core antigen in chronic hepatitis C patients was 49.66%, showing a correlation with HCV RNA levels.

Impact:

  • HCV core antigen detected by ELISA demonstrates high specificity.
  • The positive percentage of HCV core antigen in chronic hepatitis C patients is 49.66%.
  • HCV core antigen serves as a potential serum marker for detecting HCV viraemia, similar to HCV RNA.
Abstract

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