scholarly journals Updating the Signal-to-cutoff Level to Reduce Anti-hepatitis C Virus False Positivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Servet Oztürk ◽  
Canan Ağalar
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
False Positivity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Cost

Background: Anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) is the only screening test being used in the diagnosis of hepatitis C. In this study, we examined anti-HCV positivity rates in our hospital. Objectives: The aim of administering the anti-HCV test was to distinguish patients with hepatitis C infection from false positivity in patients with reactive results. Methods: The anti-HCV tests were performed at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. The patients were evaluated retrospectively in terms of age, gender, anti-HCV titer, the clinic for which the examination was requested, the reason for the examination, and the history of hepatitis C. Results: In this study, 511 patients who had two negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were evaluated as false positive cases and enrolled. The cut-off value was found to be 7.5 IU/ml, with the highest sensitivity of 94.4% and specificity of 94.5% (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.982). The lowest anti-HCV titer (5.2) was from patients without acute hepatitis, who were HCV-RNA positive and diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C. Conclusions: It may be more appropriate to report anti-HCV cut-off value of 0 - 5 as negative, 5 - 7.5 as borderline, and > 7.5 as positive. Working with a more acceptable cut-off level with a greater number of tests can help identify patients with asymptomatic HCV infection. Also, it can possibly reduce the cost due to a decrease in the number of PCR tests administered.

Detection of active hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus/GB virus C replication in bone marrow in human subjects

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 3986-3989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Radkowski ◽  
Joanna Kubicka ◽  
Elzbieta Kisiel ◽  
Janusz Cianciara ◽  
Marek Nowicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Hepatitis G Virus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Hepatitis G ◽  
Virus C

Abstract We have analyzed the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) sequences in bone marrow and serum samples from 48 patients of a hematologic outpatient clinic. HCV RNA was detected in 18 (38%) and 15 (31%) and HGV RNA was detected in 6 (13%) and 9 (19%) of serum and bone marrow samples, respectively. In 3 patients, HGV RNA was detectable in bone marrow but not in the serum; 2 of these patients were negative for the presence of specific antibodies. Using a highly strand-specific Tth-based reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the presence of HCV RNA and HGV RNA negative strand was demonstrated in 4 and 5 bone marrow samples, respectively. Our study shows that HCV and HGV can replicate in bone marrow; in the case of HGV, analysis of serum may underestimate the true prevalence of infection.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Screening of High-Risk Patients in a Canadian Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kelsey Ragan ◽  
Anjali Pandya ◽  
Tristan Holotnak ◽  
Katrina Koger ◽  
Neil Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hcv Screening

Background. Approximately 0.7% of the Canadian population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many individuals are unaware of their infection. Our objectives were to utilize an emergency department (ED) based point-of-care (POC) HCV screening test to describe our local population and estimate the proportion of high-risk patients in our population with undiagnosed HCV. Methods. A convenience sample of medically stable patients (≥18 years) presenting to a community ED in Calgary, AB, between April and July 2018 underwent rapid clinical screening for HCV risk factors, including history of injection drug use, healthcare in endemic countries, and other recognized criteria. High-risk patients were offered POC HCV testing. Antibody-positive patients underwent HCV-RNA testing and were linked to hepatology care. The primary outcome was the proportion of new HCV diagnoses in the high-risk population. Results. Of the 999 patients screened by survey, 247 patients (24.7%) were high-risk and eligible for testing. Of these, 123 (49.8%) were from HCV-endemic countries, while 63 (25.5%) and 31 (12.6%) patients endorsed a history of incarceration and intravenous drug use (IVDU), respectively. A total of 144 (58.3%) eligible patients agreed to testing. Of these, 6 patients were POC-positive (4.2%, CI 0.9–7.4%); all 6 had antibodies detected on confirmatory lab testing and 4 had detectable HCV-RNA viral loads in follow-up. Notably, 103 (41.7%) patients declined POC testing. Interpretation. Among 144 high-risk patients who agreed to testing, the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection was 4.2%, and the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection with detectable viral load was 2.8%. Many patients with high-risk clinical criteria refused POC testing. It is unknown if tested and untested groups have the same disease prevalence. This study shows that ED HCV screening is feasible and that a small number of previously undiagnosed patients can be identified and linked to potentially life-changing care.

Detection of active hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus/GB virus C replication in bone marrow in human subjects

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 3986-3989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Radkowski ◽  
Joanna Kubicka ◽  
Elzbieta Kisiel ◽  
Janusz Cianciara ◽  
Marek Nowicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Hepatitis G Virus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Hepatitis G ◽  
Virus C

We have analyzed the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) sequences in bone marrow and serum samples from 48 patients of a hematologic outpatient clinic. HCV RNA was detected in 18 (38%) and 15 (31%) and HGV RNA was detected in 6 (13%) and 9 (19%) of serum and bone marrow samples, respectively. In 3 patients, HGV RNA was detectable in bone marrow but not in the serum; 2 of these patients were negative for the presence of specific antibodies. Using a highly strand-specific Tth-based reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the presence of HCV RNA and HGV RNA negative strand was demonstrated in 4 and 5 bone marrow samples, respectively. Our study shows that HCV and HGV can replicate in bone marrow; in the case of HGV, analysis of serum may underestimate the true prevalence of infection.

scholarly journals Expression of hepatitis C virus proteins in epithelial intestinal cells in vivo

2004 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 2515-2523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverine Deforges ◽  
Alexey Evlashev ◽  
Magali Perret ◽  
Mireille Sodoyer ◽  
Stéphane Pouzol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Lipoprotein Metabolism ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hybrid Particles ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Previous work on hepatitis C virus (HCV) led to the discovery of a new form of virus particle associating virus and lipoprotein elements. These hybrid particles (LVP for lipo-viro-particles) are enriched in triglycerides and contain at least apolipoprotein B (apoB), HCV RNA and core protein. These findings suggest that LVP synthesis could occur in liver and intestine, the two main organs specialized in the production of apoB-containing lipoprotein. To identify the site of LVP production, the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of HCV quasispecies from purified LVP, whole serum and liver biopsies from chronically infected patients were studied. HCV quasispecies from LVP and liver differed significantly, suggesting that LVP were not predominantly synthesized in the liver but might also originate in the intestine. The authors therefore searched for the presence of HCV in the small intestine. Paraffin-embedded intestinal biopsies from 10 chronically HCV-infected patients and from 12 HCV RNA-negative controls (10 anti-HCV antibody-negative and two anti-HCV antibody-positive patients) were tested for HCV protein expression. HCV NS3 and NS5A proteins were stained in small intestine epithelial cells in four of the 10 chronically infected patients, and not in controls. Cells expressing HCV proteins were apoB-producing enterocytes but not mucus-secreting cells. These data indicate that the small intestine can be infected by HCV, and identify this organ as a potential reservoir and replication site. This further emphasizes the interaction between lipoprotein metabolism and HCV, and offers new insights into hepatitis C infection and pathophysiology.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in HIV-Infected People

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis L Cooper ◽  
Andrew D Badley ◽  
Jonathan B Angel
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Interferon Alpha ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Interferon Alpha Therapy ◽  
History Of

Knowledge pertaining to hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is currently incomplete or conflicting. Several points are well studied, however. Plasma HCV RNA levels are higher in matched HIV-infected people than in HIV-seronegative control subjects and are inversely correlated with CD4+T lymphocyte counts. HCV genotype does not appear to influence this value. Co-infected individuals develop histological and clinical features of HCV liver disease more rapidly than HIV-seronegative patients. Co-infected individuals appear to respond to interferon-alpha therapy equally as well as HIV-seronegative HCV-infected adults, but minimal information exists regarding the efficacy and toxicity of combination HCV therapy (interferon-alpha plus ribavirin) in this population. Adverse consequences of highly active antiretroviral therapy in co-infected patients include hepatic toxicity and, in a minority of patients, an 'immune restoration syndrome'. It is unclear whether long term, highly active antiretroviral therapy positively or negatively influences the natural history of HCV infection.

Molecular Detection of Hepatitis C Virus amongst Patients in Five Selected Hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
M U Iduh ◽  
F A Kuta ◽  
M E Abalaka ◽  
K O Shitu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Direct Sequencing ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in developing and developed countries worldwide. It is responsible for liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronically-infected patients. This study therefore aimed to identify the strain of HCV among HCV seropositive subjects in Niger State. A total of 44 HCV seropositive blood samples which consisted of 27 males and 17 females were analyzed (after Viral RNA extraction) for the presence of HCV-RNA by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Nine (20.5%) of the samples were positive for HCV RNA. HCV-RNA positive samples were genotyped by direct sequencing at 5’UTR region genomes; sequences were aligned on MEGA 6.0 and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. HCV genotype 1b was the only one distributed among the participants. The findings are relevant as predictors for using antiviral therapy in this population because the response to treatment varies according to the genotype.

scholarly journals Antiviral Effect of Interferon Therapy for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hayashi ◽  
K. Nakashima ◽  
A. Noguchi ◽  
M. Hirata ◽  
K. Akazawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis C ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Lymphoblastoid Interferon

Thirty-two patients with chronic hepatitis who were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by polymerase chain reaction and had antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), were enrolled in this study. Twenty of them were also positive for antibody to the GOR epitope (anti-GOR). Sixteen of the enrolled patients were treated with human lymphoblastoid interferon for six months. Treatment was initiated with 3 million units of interferon daily for 2 weeks, followed by 3 million units three times a week for 6 weeks and 1.5 million units three times a week for 16 weeks. The efficacy of therapy was assessed by comparison with the results in 16 untreated patients. Aminotransferase values, titre of anti-HCV and anti-GOR antibodies showed significant decreases throughout the therapy compared with baseline levels and the untreated patients. After a 3 month follow-up, nine treated patients (56.3%) had normal aminotransferase activities and six of them eliminated HCV RNA from their sera (37.5%). Three of these six patients became negative for both anti-HCV and anti-GOR antibodies (18.8%). None of the untreated control patients had normal aminotransferase activities or became negative for HCV markers. The present study suggests that human lymphoblastoid interferon can control the disease activity and eliminate hepatitis C virus from patients with chronic hepatitis C.

scholarly journals Marrow transplantation from hepatitis C virus seropositive donors: transmission rate and clinical course

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 3229-3235 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Shuhart ◽  
D Myerson ◽  
BH Childs ◽  
JD Fingeroth ◽  
JJ Perry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Marrow Transplant ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Serum Aminotransferases ◽  
Marrow Infusion

Abstract Bone marrow transplant recipients are at risk for acquiring hepatitis C infection from the donated marrow. Twelve patients who were hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-negative pretransplant received marrow from anti-HCV seropositive donors. HCV RNA was present in the sera of seven of these donors. After transplant, serial serum specimens were obtained from all marrow recipients for determination of HCV RNA and aminotransferase levels. All seven recipients of marrow from HCV RNA-positive donors were HCV RNA-positive after marrow infusion; none cleared virus from the serum. All five recipients of marrow from anti-HCV seropositive, HCV RNA-negative donors remained free of HCV RNA in serum up to day 100. Abnormal serum aminotransferases were common in both HCV RNA- negative and HCV RNA-positive marrow recipients. One HCV-infected recipient developed marked elevation in aminotransferases after immunosuppressive drugs were stopped. We conclude that the presence of HCV RNA in the serum of marrow donors is an accurate predictor of HCV infection in marrow recipients. The acute infection was subclinical in all patients. The long-term risk of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in these patients remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Hepatitis C Virus amongst Patients in Five Selected Hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
M U Iduh ◽  
F A Kuta ◽  
M E Abalaka ◽  
K O Shitu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Direct Sequencing ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in developing and developed countries worldwide. It is responsible for liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronically-infected patients. This study therefore aimed to identify the strain of HCV among HCV seropositive subjects in Niger State. A total of 44 HCV seropositive blood samples which consisted of 27 males and 17 females were analyzed (after Viral RNA extraction) for the presence of HCV-RNA by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Nine (20.5%) of the samples were positive for HCV RNA. HCV-RNA positive samples were genotyped by direct sequencing at 5’UTR region genomes; sequences were aligned on MEGA 6.0 and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. HCV genotype 1b was the only one distributed among the participants. The findings are relevant as predictors for using antiviral therapy in this population because the response to treatment varies according to the genotype.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document