HCV_Diagnosis_and_Therapeutic_Monitoring
The lesson teaches the following:
HCV Assays and Their Applications, Testing for HCV
HCV Assays and Their Applications, Molecular Components Detected by the Assays
HCV Assays and Their Applications, Antibody Assays
HCV Assays and Their Applications, HCV RNA Assays
HCV Assays and Their Applications, Test Yourself
HCV Assays and Their Applications, Core Antigen Assay
A number of molecular asssays are available for the detection and monitoring of hepatitis C virus.
HCV assays can be classified according to:
Appropriate type of assay depends on status of person to be tested, e.g.:
Molecular components:
Anti-HCV antibody:
Core protein:
A number of HCV assays target the RNA of the viral genome — particularly sequences at the 5-prime end of the genome.
Anti-HCV antibodies can be detected in the blood.
EIA:
Anti-HCV antibody tests are good indicators of past infection.
Antibodies do not appear until 7-8 weeks after infection.
Antibodies persist in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and even in some after infection has resolved.
In rare cases (e.g., immunosuppression or long-term hemodialysis), an HCV-infected patient will not express anti-HCV antibody.
Asssays target sequences within 5-prime noncoding (5' NC) region of the HCV genome.
HCV RNA assays do not involve antibodies.
HCV RNA assay classifications:
Qualitative assays:
Quantitative assays:
Genotyping assays:
Core antigen assay:
EIA = Enzyme Immunoassays