Value study of Early Screening of Hepatitis C on Free HCV Core Antigen Detection

Objective Hepatitis C virus core antigen (HCV-cAg) and antibody (HCV-Ab) and HCV RNA were detected to study the value of free hepatitis C virus core antigen when screening HCV early. Methods Hepatitis C virus core antigen and antibody measured by ELISA method. HCV RNA measured by FQ-RT-PCR method.Compared 300 patients with HCV RNA-negative results among normal physical examination, and we screened 35 HCV-positive cases in the group with risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Through the above data we studied the specificity and sensitivity and the value of shorten the window period with determination of HCV core antigen. Results Results of HCV-Ab and HCV RNA in 300 physical examination's people were negative, and results of HCV-cAg in 299 patients (99.67%) were negative; To use diagnosis of follow-up methods we confirmed 35 cases of HCV infection. When first results of HCV RNA were positive, results of free HCV-cAg detection in 33 cases (94.29%) were positive.Detection of free HCV-cAg can effectively shorten the window period. Conclusion Free HCV core antigen ELISA assay with high sensitivity and specificity, it can significantly shorten the HCV window period, and it can be used as a supplementary test for HCV antibody test.