Impact of isolated hepatitis C virus (HCV) core-specific antibody detection and viral RNA amplification among HCV-seronegative dialysis patients at risk for infection

J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Aug;52(8):3053-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01339-14. Epub 2014 May 21.

Abstract

Amplification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA from blood detected occult HCV infections in 30.9% of 210 HCV-seronegative dialysis patients with abnormal liver enzyme levels that had evaded standard HCV testing practices. Isolated HCV core-specific antibody detection identified three additional anti-HCV screening-negative patients lacking HCV RNA amplification in blood who were considered potentially infectious. Together, these findings may affect management of the dialysis setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Enzymes / blood
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Viral Core Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Peptide Fragments
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Core Proteins
  • core protein (1-120), hepatitis C virus