High frequency of false-positive hepatitis C virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in Rakai, Uganda

Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Dec;57(12):1747-50. doi: 10.1093/cid/cit602. Epub 2013 Sep 18.

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. We tested 1000 individuals from Rakai, Uganda, with the Ortho version 3.0 HCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All serologically positive samples were tested for HCV RNA. Seventy-six of the 1000 (7.6%) participants were HCV antibody positive; none were confirmed by detection of HCV RNA.

Keywords: Africa; ELISA; hepatitis C virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / statistics & numerical data*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Uganda / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral