BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite improvements in assays for anti-HCV, there remains a significant delay before the appearance of antibodies following infection, during which, circulating viral RNA is present. We have evaluated a prototype assay for the serological detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen with specimens derived from the early phase of HCV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial specimens from 24 individuals undergoing HCV seroconversion were tested for the presence of anti-HCV, HCV RNA and HCV core antigen. RESULTS: HCV antigen was detected at the same time as HCV RNA in 83% (20/24) cases. The mean time to the first detection of HCV antigen was approximately 1 day later than HCV RNA. Overall, 87% of HCV-RNA-positive specimens contained detectable HCV core antigen. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that HCV core antigen can be identified by routine serological ELISA in specimens from the early antibody-negative phase of HCV infection. A test for HCV core antigen may be a useful test for identifying window phase blood donations from antibody negative donors infected with HCV.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite improvements in assays for anti-HCV, there remains a significant delay before the appearance of antibodies following infection, during which, circulating viral RNA is present. We have evaluated a prototype assay for the serological detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen with specimens derived from the early phase of HCV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial specimens from 24 individuals undergoing HCV seroconversion were tested for the presence of anti-HCV, HCV RNA and HCV core antigen. RESULTS:HCV antigen was detected at the same time as HCV RNA in 83% (20/24) cases. The mean time to the first detection of HCV antigen was approximately 1 day later than HCV RNA. Overall, 87% of HCV-RNA-positive specimens contained detectable HCV core antigen. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that HCV core antigen can be identified by routine serological ELISA in specimens from the early antibody-negative phase of HCV infection. A test for HCV core antigen may be a useful test for identifying window phase blood donations from antibody negative donors infected with HCV.
Authors: P Maillard; K Krawczynski; J Nitkiewicz; C Bronnert; M Sidorkiewicz; P Gounon; J Dubuisson; G Faure; R Crainic; A Budkowska Journal: J Virol Date: 2001-09 Impact factor: 5.103