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HCV core-antigen assay as an alternative to HCV RNA quantification: A correlation study for the assessment of HCV
Roberto Alonso1, Felipe Pérez-García2, Paula López-Roa2
1Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
Insights
The hepatitis C virus core antigen assay (HCV-Ag) shows excellent correlation with HCV RNA quantification, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing HCV infection, especially in emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and HCV core antigen (HCV-Ag) assays are key for diagnosing active and chronic HCV infections.
- Evaluating HCV-Ag as a viable alternative to HCV RNA quantification is crucial for improving diagnostic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the HCV-Ag assay compared to HCV RNA quantification.
- To determine the correlation between HCV-Ag levels and HCV RNA viral load.
- To establish a formula for estimating HCV RNA viral load from HCV-Ag values.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 204 serum samples.
- Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of the HCV-Ag assay against a PCR-based HCV RNA assay.
- Determination of the correlation between the two diagnostic techniques.
Main Results:
- HCV-Ag assay demonstrated 76.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
- An excellent correlation was observed between HCV-Ag and HCV RNA quantification (Pearson coefficient=0.951).
- A formula was derived to estimate viral load: LogCV=1.15*LogAg+2.26; however, HCV-Ag could not detect viral loads below 5000 IU/mL.
Conclusions:
- Despite lower sensitivity than PCR, the HCV-Ag assay exhibits strong correlation with HCV RNA levels.
- HCV-Ag serves as a practical first-line diagnostic tool for acute or chronic HCV infection.
- The assay is particularly useful in emergency settings for rapid HCV diagnosis.
Introduction:
Detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and the HCV core antigen assay (HCV-Ag) are reliable techniques for the diagnosis of active and chronic HCV infection. Our aim was to evaluate the HCV-Ag assay as an alternative to quantification of HVC RNA.
Methods:
A comparison was made of the sensitivity and specificity of an HCV-Ag assay (204 serum samples) with those of a PCR assay, and the correlation between the two techniques was determined.
Results:
The sensitivity and specificity of HCV-Ag was 76.6% and 100%, respectively. Both assays were extremely well correlated (Pearson coefficient=0.951). The formula (LogCV=1.15*LogAg+2.26) was obtained to calculate the viral load by PCR from HCV-Ag values. HCV-Ag was unable to detect viral loads below 5000IU/mL.
Conclusion:
Although the HCV-Ag assay was less sensitive than the PCR assay, the correlation between both assays was excellent. HCV-Ag can be useful as a first step in the diagnosis of acute or chronic HCV infection and in emergency situations.
