Evaluation of the KCL-163 ELISA test for detecting antibodies against hepatitis C virus in patients with non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis.

A specific ELISA test (KCL-163) for detecting anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) has been developed (Kaketsuken). Using the KCL-163, 183 serum samples obtained from patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) were examined. We also tested and compared results with Ortho HCV ELISA (C100) and C825 ELISA. Of these 183 samples, 139 (76%), 121 (66%), and 88 (48%) were positive with KCL-163, C100 and C825, respectively. These results showed that there were patients with NANBH caused by HCV who were seronegative in C100 ELISA. KCL-163 ELISA is applicable for the diagnosis of HCV infection in these patients.