Naslov
HCV core antigen and the time of HCV infection
(HCV core antigen and the time of HCV inf)

Autori
Burek, Vitomir ; Mikulić, Radojka

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Izvornik
11th International Congress on Infectious Diseases / Cohen, Jonathan - Brighton : Elsevier, 2004

Skup
11th International Congress on Infectious Diseases

Mjesto i datum
Cancún, Meksiko, 04.03.2004. - 07.03.2004

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
HCV infection; HCVAg

Sažetak
Backgroung: antibody tests are unable to identify subjects in the early stage of infection (window period) during which specific antibodies have not yet been produced. This stage (preseroconversion period) may last up to 2 months in immunocompetent and as long as 6 to 12 months in immunodeficient patients. Detection of HCV-RNA in that period could indicate acute infection but its presence could result from the past HCV infection and actual illness could be in the connection with some other virus(es). A new test has recently been developed to detect the HCV core protein (HCVAg) which is present in the early preseroconversion period when anti-HCV is negative. In the present study we evaluate the use of two tests for HCVAg (free and bound) in diagnosis of acute HCV infection and in determination of actual time of infection. Methods: blood samples were collected from members of high risk for HCV infection: IV drug users, hemodialysis patients and from clinically manifested nonAnonC viral hepatitis. Samples were tested for HCVAg, anti-HCV and HCV-RNA among this three populations in anti-HCV negative blood. Results: among total of 450 sera sample ( anti-HCV negative) 9 were positive for free HCVAg: 1, 52% among IV drug users, 1, 22% among hemodialysis patients and 7, 2% among acute nonAnonC viral infection. Bound HCVAg were positiv in 7 of this 9. All were positive for HCV-RNA and all were anti-HCV negative tested by ELISA and RIBA. Conclusion: with the use of these new tests for HCVAg acute HCV infection could be determined promptly among populations where it is expected with higher posibilities: hemodialysis patients, IV drug users and acute nonAnonC viral infection. At the same time a group of patients with precisely determined time of HCV infection could be defined and monitored to study its natural history in the early period of infection

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA