[Clinical value of the detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen].

AIM

To explore the value of detecting hepatitis C virus core antigen in HCV infected diseases.

METHODS

The HCV-RNA was tested by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). The core antigens of HCV and anti-HCV were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The positive rate of HCV-RNA in 191 patients was 71.2%, about 136 in 191. The positive rate of anti-HCV was 97.4%, about 186 in 191. The positive rate of HCV core antigen was 33.0%, about 63 in 191. After antiviral therapy for 2 patients,their HCV-RNA and anti-HCV were detected negative but their HCV core antigen was detected positive. In another patient, his anti-HCV was negative but his HCV core antigen was positive.

CONCLUSION

As a supplemental test for anti-HCV examination the detection of HCV core antigen is of important clinical value in HCV infection diagnosis.