[Measurement of anti-HCV IgM antibodies with an experimental kit]

The aim of this study was to search for specific anti-HCV IgM antibodies. The author proposes an immunoenzymatic method used to assay IgM specific antibody utilising routinely available techniques. The study was performed over a two-month period in out-patients referred by general practitioners for anti-UCV antibody assay to the Immunohematology and blood transfusion Service in Foggia. A total of 206 subjects were examined. Anti-HCV IgM antibody assay is made possible by a two-step procedure: the absorption of IgM-type rheumatoid factor and the use of anti-IgM antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. After preincubation of the serum diluted in absorption medium, the sample is set on a sensitised plate and incubated overnight. After washing and the addition of anti-HCV IgM antibodies conjugates to alkaline phosphatase, the plate is again incubated for 90 min at 37 degrees C. This is followed by washing and the deposition of the substrate, before a further 30-min incubation at 37 degrees C. A blocking solution (NaOH) is then added and the plate is read at 405 nm. Data obtained only indicated the positivity or negativity to the routine test or to the experimental test: for organisational reasons it was not possible to perform a follow-up of positive subjects or observe the correlation with other disease markers. Out of a total of 209 subjects examined, 8 (3.8835%) were positive to both IgG anti-HCV IgM, whereas 10 (4.8544%) were positive to anti-HCV IgM alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)