Total HCV core antigen assay. A new marker of HCV viremia and its application during treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

The present study assesses the clinical usefulness of the hepatitis C core antigen assay for monitoring of patients being treated for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Eighty-six serum samples were selected at random from 16 patients and levels of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen were determined simultaneously and in parallel to compare both techniques. The data obtained were compared by Pearson's correlation and the coefficients calculated by Fisher transformation and by calculating the difference and standard error. A good linear correlation was observed between both techniques. Maximum correlation, with significant difference, was found between patients infected with the 1a genotype and other genotypes. In conclusion, the HCV core antigen assay is useful for the diagnosis of early infection; however, its use for determining the exact timing of viral elimination during treatment is clearly unsuitable.