Hepatitis C Virus Total Antibody, Immunochromatography

Screening for HCV infections with an HCV antibody test should be done in the following: · Injection drug users (past or present), shared needles · Recipient of blood or blood components (red cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma) · Recipient of blood from an HCV-positive donor · Persons with following associated conditions: o HIV infection o Haemophilia o Those who have been on hemodialysis o Those with unexplained abnormal aminotransferase levels. · Children born to HCV-infected mothers · Healthcare workers after a needle stick injury or mucosal exposure to HCV-positive blood · Current sexual partners of HCV-infected persons · Evidence of chronic liver disease · HCV antibody testing can be prescribed by your doctor in case of abnormal results on a liver panel, for example in the case of signs and symptoms associated with hepatitis seen in a patient .

Along with HCV antibody testing, other tests may be required to further diagnose a current infection, to monitor treatment, and to check the health of the liver. Tests to diagnose a current infection and monitor treatment: HCV RNA tests: HCV RNA test can be quantitative (HCV viral load) and qualitative (presence or absence of HCV RNA). Quantitative HCV RNA detects and measures the number of viral RNA particles in the blood. Whereas, qualitative HCV RNA is used to confirm the presence of the virus and diagnose an active infection. Viral load tests are also used before and during treatment to help determine response to therapy by comparing the amount of virus before and during treatment. Viral genotyping is used to find the kind, or genotype, of the HCV present to help guide treatment. There are 5 major types of HCV and more than 50 subtypes identified. Among them, the most common is genotype 1. The drugs selected for treatment depends on the genotype of HCV infecting a person. Tests to determine well-being of liver: Liver tests such as ALT and AST are used to indicate ongoing liver injury. People who have normal AST and ALT but are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), probably have very mild liver disease and may not need treatment. Other tests can be used to check the functioning of the liver such as albumin, prothrombin time, and bilirubin. Generally, the results of these tests are normal unless the person has developed cirrhosis. In some cases, a liver biopsy may be performed to determine the severity of liver damage.

Mainly, Hepatitis C is spread by exposure to contaminated/infected blood. The most common form of exposure is by sharing of needles mostly during illicit drug use. Other routes of transmission include occupational exposure of healthcare workers to used needles (needle stick injury) or other sharp objects. Along with that, the infection can spread by the use of contaminated equipment for body piercing and tattooing, through sexual activity (less common) that results in tissue tears, and from an infected mother to baby during childbirth.

Chronic hepatitis C refers to the condition when HCV RNA has stayed in the blood for at least 6 months after the onset of acute infection. The risk of progression of acute infection to chronic HCV infection include: Age at the time of infection (more if infection occurs at age >25 years) Gender (males > females) Ethnicity (higher in Africans than in Caucasians and Hispanic whites) Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus Concomitant alcohol consumption Comorbid conditions like cancer, immunosuppression, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity, etc.