Evaluation of Third‐Generation Screening and Confirmatory Assays for HCV Antibodies

Uyttendaele, S; Claeys, H; Mertens, Wilfried; Verhaert, H; Vermylen, C

doi:10.1111/j.1423-0410.1994.tb00293.x

Cited by 122 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although false-reactivity with EIA systems has been reported in other studies, 11,14,15 the high discordance rate between the EIA-3 and RIBA-3 results in our study led us to assess whether there was a pattern to the false-reactive HCV EIA-3 test results. We found no association between demographic characteristics and false positivity with the HCV EIA-3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the general population of northwest Tanzania.

Tess

Levin²,

Brubaker³

et al. 2000

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Sera from 516 participants enrolled in a population-based cross-sectional study in northwest Tanzania were tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). The mean age of study subjects was 29 years (range ϭ 16-49 years); 43% were men, 6% reported a history of blood transfusion, and 4% were infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Although 53 of 516 sera (10.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] ϭ 7.8-13.2%) were repeatedly reactive by a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3), only 6 of the 53 were positive when tested with a thirdgeneration recombinant immunoblot assay (confirmed HCV seroprevalence ϭ 1.2%, 95% CI ϭ 0.4-2.5%). The positive predictive value of the HCV EIA-3 in this population was 18.8% (95% CI ϭ 7.0-36.4%). False positivity was not correlated with EIA-3 optical density values, age, sex, infection with HIV-1, or a history of blood transfusion, but it was marginally associated with increased serum IgG levels. We conclude that the prevalence of HCV is low in this region and that the HCV EIA-3 has a higher false-positivity rate in this population than has been reported among U.S. blood donors.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of post-transfusional hepatitis worldwide 1 and may also be an important cause of community acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis in certain parts of Africa. 2,3 Infection with HCV is usually asymptomatic, but may result in chronic hepatitis with progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 4,5 Assays for the detection of antibodies against HCV proteins were developed soon after the viral genome was cloned in 1989. 6 An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) represented an important advance in reducing HCV transmission through blood transfusion. Supplemental tests for detecting antibodies to HCV, such as the recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA), have been developed to confirm reactivity detected by the EIA. 7 Studies of volunteer blood donors and general populations have shown considerable geographic variation in HCV seroprevalence:8 0.5-1.5% in western Europe, northern Europe, North America, and Australia; 1.5-2.5% in Japan and the Mediterranean region; and as high as 14% in Egypt. In sub-Saharan Africa, data on the prevalence of HCV are limited and the extent of HCV infection remains unknown in most countries. In this study, we estimated the seroprevalence of HCV in a population-based cross-sectional study in northwest Tanzania. METHODSDuring 1989 and 1990, a population-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in northwest Tanzania. The protocol for this study was approved by the appropriate review committees of the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Institute. The study methods have been described elsewhere. 9 Briefly, the target population consisted of people living in rural, peri-urban (mainly subsistence farmers and their families), and urban areas (commercial workers). Subjects 15-49 years of age were randomly selected from household rosters supplied by the local governmen...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the general population of northwest Tanzania.

Tess

Levin²,

Brubaker³

et al. 2000

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…This explains the reason for including recombinant NS3 in the first [45][46], second [47] and third generation ELISA [48] for detecting anti-HCV-antibodies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens enhance HCV replication in mammalian cells

Bahgat¹,

El‐Far

Mesalam³

et al. 2010

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Background: This work demonstrates successful propagation of HCV in HepG2 and human blood cells as well as viral shedding into their culture media. The influence of Schistosoma mansoni crude soluble egg antigens (SEA) on the rate of viral propagation in both mammalian cells was also monitored. Methodology: HepG2 cells were inoculated with HCV viremic human sera and some wells were exposed to HCV infection in presence of SEA. Cells were harvested for RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. HepG2 media was collected for HCV ELISA. Blood samples from HCV-infected humans were cultured in the presence and absence of SEA. Media were collected at different time points post culturing and subjected to HCV ELISA. Results: The ELISA concentration of HCV antigens were generally higher in media of infected HepG2 cells compared to media of control cells at all time intervals post infection. Western blots showed reactivity to immunogenic peptides of different molecular weights in lysate of infected HepG2 cells that were not evidenced in uninfected cells. In presence of SEA, RT-PCR results revealed earlier detection of viral RNA in infected HepG2 cells compared to in absence of such bilharzial antigen. Also, ELISA results revealed higher levels of detected HCV antigens in media of both infected HepG2 and blood cells cocultured with S. mansoni SEA compared to that of cultured infected cells in absence of the parasite antigens. Conclusion: HepG2 cells as well as whole blood cultures maintain HCV replication. Furthermore, SEA has the potential to enhance HCV propagation.

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“…The sensitivity and specificity of these 3 rd generation kits depend on the type of antigen used. 21 With the advent of the molecular techniques, the circulating virus (viraemia) can now be detected by HCV RNA measurement. This testing is used for early detection (before seroconversion) and also is essential for confirmation of active HCV infection and monitoring of antiviral therapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This second generation ELISA assay had a higher sensitivity and specificity over the earlier one. 21 At present, the third generation ELISA assays use highly purified antigens with the addition of NS5 region of HCV genome and have the highest sensitivity and specificity. 20 The antigens are either a purely recombinant (Ortho), or purely synthetic peptides (UBI), or a mixture of recombinant and synthetic peptides (General Biologicals).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of HCV Infection in Patients on Haemodialysis: Survey by Antibody and Core Antigen Detection

Reddy¹,

Murthy²,

Lakshmi³

2005

Indian J Med Microbiol

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Purpose: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HCV infection by antibody testing and HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) determination by ELISA in haemodialysis patients and to evaluate the HCV c Ag assay in the detection of HCV infected patients on haemodialysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 151 chronic renal failure patients on haemodialysis from May 2003 to October 2004 were studied. One hundred patients out of 151 were followed for 2-5 months. All the patients were tested for anti HCV and HCV core antigen once a month. Anti HCV ELISA positive specimens were confirmed by RIBA. Results: The overall prevalence of HCV infection was 13.23%. Antibody positivity was observed in 9.93% and HCVcAg alone was detected in 2.64%. One patient (0.66%) was initially positive for core antigen and later seroconverted. Conclusions: Screening for HCV antibodies alone does not exclude infection with HCV in patients on haemodialysis and HCVcAg may be a useful test for identifying HCV infected patients on haemodialysis in the early phase of infection before seroconversion.

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Evaluation of Third‐Generation Screening and Confirmatory Assays for HCV Antibodies

Cited by 122 publications

References 16 publications

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the general population of northwest Tanzania.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the general population of northwest Tanzania.

Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens enhance HCV replication in mammalian cells

Prevalence of HCV Infection in Patients on Haemodialysis: Survey by Antibody and Core Antigen Detection

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