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[Serodiagnosis of hepatitis C by a recombinant hepatitis C virus protein]
N Hayashi1, N Yuki, A Kasahara
1First Department of Medicine, Osaka University Medical School.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a primary cause of chronic non-A, non-B liver disease in Japan. Antibody testing confirms widespread HCV infection, even in cases initially negative for certain markers.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Chronic non-A, non-B liver disease represents a significant etiological category in liver pathology.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a major cause of this condition.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and diagnostic significance of various anti-HCV antibodies in chronic non-A, non-B liver disease.
- To establish the etiological role of HCV in Japanese patients with chronic liver disease.
Summary:
- High prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies, including anti-C100-3 and antibodies to HCV core protein, was observed in patients with chronic non-A, non-B liver disease.
- A strong correlation exists between high titers of anti-HCV core antibody and detectable serum HCV RNA.
- Second-generation assays and RT-PCR identified HCV in patients negative for anti-C100-3, highlighting the sensitivity of newer diagnostic methods.
Impact:
- Confirms HCV as a leading cause of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Japan.
- Underscores the importance of comprehensive serological and molecular testing for accurate HCV diagnosis.
- Informs clinical management and public health strategies for hepatitis C.
Abstract:
Anti-HCV prevalence was high in chronic non-A, non-B liver disease. Anti-C100-3 was detected frequently in each category of chronic non-A, non-B liver disease. Antibody to HCV core protein was detected more frequently in 95% with high titers. A significant correlation was observed between the occurrence of high titers of antibody to HCV core and serum HCV RNA positivity. In patients negative by the anti-C100-3 assay, 69% were anti-HCV-positive by the second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and also positive by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Thus, HCV is a major causative agent of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Japan.