Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody, With Reflex to RIBA

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody, With Reflex to RIBA

Number
	143991
CPT
	86803
Synonyms
	Anti-HCV Reflex ; HCV ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis C Virus Antibody w/RIBA ; Hep C
Specimen
	Serum or plasma
Volume
	1 mL
Container
	Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube or lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection
	If tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer the separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube.
Storage Instructions
	Refrigerate Sample Stability: Up to 7 days at 2°C to 8°C
Causes for Rejection
	Plasma other than EDTA, PST gel barrier tubes
Reference Interval
	0.0-0.9
Use
	Assess exposure to hepatitis C virus infection; test blood units for transfusion safety
Limitations
	Since as many as 90% of commercial intravenous immunoglobulins test positive for hepatitis C antibody, an artifactual positive can result briefly after transfusion.
Methodology
	Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Additional Information
	Following the development of sensitive and specific testing for hepatitis B, 90% of post-transfusion hepatitis is now hepatitis C. A gene product (c100) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was isolated and an assay for anti-HCV developed. The assay detects antibody to presumptive togavirus which may be an etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (which may not be a unitary disease entity). For blood donors, hepatitis C serology correlates with surrogate tests for non-A, non-B hepatitis (ALT and anti-HBc). Since hepatitis C serology identifies a broader group of infected individuals than surrogate testing, it reduces risk of HCV during transfusion. Studies in hemophiliacs indicate that antibody to HCV is a reliable marker of HCV.
References
	Allain JP, Dailey SH, Laurain Y, et al, “Evidence for Persistent Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Hemophiliacs,” J Clin Invest, 1991, 88(5):1672-9. Alter MJ, Hadler SC, Judson FN, et al, “Risk Factors for Acute Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis in the United States and Association With Hepatitis C Virus Infection,” JAMA, 1990, 264(17):2231-5. Choo QL, Kuo G, Weiner AJ, et al, “Isolation of a cDNA Clone Derived From a Blood-Borne Non-A, Non-B Viral Hepatitis Genome,” Science, 1989, 244(4902):359-62. Clemens JM, Taskar S, Chau K, et al, “IgM Antibody Response in Acute Hepatitis C Viral Infection,” Blood, 1992, 79(1):169-72. Dodd LG, McBride JH, Gitnick GL, et al, “Prevalence of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis/Hepatitis C Virus Antibody in Human Immunoglobulins,” Am J Clin Pathol, 1992, 97(1):108-13. Gambino R, “NANB Hepatitis - A New Antibody Test for the Hepatitis C Virus,” Lab Report for Physicians, 1988, 10:89-93. Kuo G, Choo QL, Alter HJ, et al, “An Assay for Circulating Antibodies to a Major Etiologic Virus of Human Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis,” Science, 1989, 244(4902):362-4. Richards C, Holland P, Kuramoto K, et al, “Prevalence of Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus in a Blood Donor Population,” Transfusion, 1991, 31(2):109-13.