Anti – HCV | Hepatitis C virus quantitative antibody determination

Hepatitis C virus antibodies (Anti-HCV) – is a serological test designed to determine if a person has had contact with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). These antibodies form after infection with HCV and persist for life, so their detection indicates a past or present infection. The test cannot distinguish between acute, chronic, or past infection, but it is the main screening method for identifying individuals who have or have had HCV.

The Anti-HCV test is used as the first step in diagnosing hepatitis C. If the result is positive, additional tests, such as HCV RNA (PCR method) and genotyping, are performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the activity of the infection. A positive Anti-HCV result can be detected in both acute and chronic hepatitis C, as well as after recovery when the virus has been eliminated from the body.

Test principle: Anti-HCV is determined by an immunochemical method from venous blood. Results are presented as positive or negative. A positive result indicates contact with the virus, but additional tests are necessary to confirm active infection.

Recommendations:

• Recommended for all individuals who may have had contact or bloodborne infection.
• Useful for patients with elevated liver enzymes or symptoms of liver disease.
• Prescribed before surgical interventions, blood donation, during pregnancy, or when assessing risk groups (e.g., those using injectable drugs, recipients of blood transfusions before 1993).
• Performed as a screening test before HCV RNA testing.
• No specific preparation is required for the test.