HCV blood test is one of the methods for diagnosing the hepatitis C virus. This test is prescribed in the presence of symptoms of hepatitis C, an increase in the level of liver transaminases, as well as examinations of people at risk for infection with viral hepatitis.
In the latter case, together with a blood test for HCV, an HBs Ag blood test is performed.
HCV (hepatitis C virus) belongs to the flavivirus family. It was first discovered in 1988 by a group of researchers from the American biotechnology company Chiron. The HCV genome is represented by an RNA molecule, so the mutation rate of the virus is very high. In people with hepatitis C virus, viral particles are detected, the genomes of which differ by 1-2%. This feature of the virus population allows it to successfully multiply despite the protective reactions of human immunity. Differences in the genomes of the virus can affect the course of infection and the results of treatment.
According to the World He alth Organization, about 150,000 people have been infected with HCV to date000 people, each year the hepatitis C virus causes more than 350,000 deaths.
Methods of transmission of hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through infected blood, for example, to a recipient from a blood or organ donor, to an infant from an infected mother, through sexual contact, through the use of non-sterile syringes in medical facilities, and tattoo and piercing tools in salons.
The disease can be acute, lasting several weeks, or chronic, resulting in cancer or cirrhosis.
HCV blood test: what does it mean in terms of immunology?
The HCV blood test is based on the detection of specific immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgM classes, so this type of test is sometimes called an anti-HCV blood test. Immunoglobulins are specific proteins of the immune system, they are produced by B-lymphocytes in response to the detection of foreign proteins in the body. When infected with the hepatitis C virus, immunoglobulins are produced to the envelope proteins of the virus, the nucleocapsid core protein and non-structural proteins NS. The appearance of the first antibodies to the virus occurs no earlier than 1-3 months after infection. By detecting antibodies, the doctor can determine the phase of the infection (acute, latent, or reactivation). Specific antibodies to hepatitis C can be detected even after 10 years after the disease, but their concentration is low, and they are not able to protect against re-infection with the virus.
Interpretation of analysis results
- Positive HCV testblood. What does it mean? This result indicates a disease of hepatitis C in acute or chronic form or a previous illness.
- HCV negative blood test. What does it mean? There is no hepatitis C virus in the blood, or the infection has occurred recently, so there are no antibodies to it yet. In some patients, antibodies to this virus are not produced at all. This scenario of the development of the disease is called seronegative, it occurs in 5% of cases.
- PCR for HCV RNA showed the absence of the virus, a positive HCV blood test was previously obtained. What does it mean? The result of a blood test for HCV was false positive, the reason for this may be some infections, neoplasms, autoimmune diseases.
