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Confirmation of serological reactive tests may be done by a nucleic acid test (NAT) for detection of HCV RNA. Recent studies have also suggested that higher the anti-HCV antibody titer in patient's serum; more are the chances of it being true positive than false positive.
Therefore, the range of clinically observed HCV RNA concentrations in serum is rarely below the lower range of the limit of quantification of quantitative assays, and most NAT assays (quantitative or qualitative) will capture the majority of viraemic infections as well as treatment failures.
The diagnosis of recently acquired and chronic HCV infection is based on the detection of HCV RNA in serum or plasma by a sensitive, exclusively qualitative or both qualitative and quantitative molecular method. An assay with a lower limit of detection ≤15 IU/ml is recommended.
A HCV RNA level below 25 IU/mL in serum or plasma 12 weeks after ending therapy is the therapeutic goal and indicates an SVR is achieved. Quantitative HCV RNA testing can be considered at the end of therapy and at 24 weeks or later after completion of antiviral therapy.
Since 2013, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all specimens that are HCV antibody reactive should be tested using a NAT to detect HCV RNA in order to confirm current HCV infection.
2 mar 2017 · The sole presence of HCV RNA, but not antibodies, indicates acute HCV infection; a second test should be performed a few weeks later to show seroconversion, which proves acute HCV infection.
14 lip 2021 · After an acute HCV infection, HCV RNA could be detectable in serum within 2 weeks following exposure. On the other hand, anti-HCV could take about 8-12 weeks before results are positive. Both...
