Antibody- and genome-based identification of recent HCV infection

Abstract

The diagnosis of recent HCV infection remains challenging due to the absence of serological markers specific to the early phase of infection. Clinical follow-up and seroconversion to anti-HCV immunoglobulin (Ig)G, detection of viral RNA and changes in levels of blood biomarkers associated with liver pathology provide circumstantial evidence of recent HCV infection. Studies based on anti-HCV IgG avidity, antigen-specific antibody profiling, HCV viral load fluctuations and signature changes in the HCV genome show potential to discriminate recent from persistent HCV infection. These markers require further evaluation and would necessitate use of samples from infected people originating from broad clinical and epidemiological contexts.

Genotype and genetic variation of HCV infections with low-risk factors in Putian coastal regions, China

“…Patients with chronic HCV infection are the most important source of transmission. Risk factors identified for the transmission of HCV include contaminated blood products, intravenous drug use, body piercing, an infected mother at birth, sexual behaviour, dental therapy, and other unclear factors [8–10]. A previous epidemiological investigation was conducted by the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Affiliated Hospital of Putian University from 2006 to 2013, revealing a high incidence (20·83%) of anti-HCV-positive patients among 3312 samples from villages along the coast of Putian.…”

Advanced Molecular Surveillance of Hepatitis C Virus

“…HCV transmission networks are difficult to be recognized for numerous reasons [ 117 , 118 ]. The long incubation periods and the characteristic asymptomatic nature of acute HCV infections make identification of cases a rather challenging task [ 117 ].…”