To investigate the characteristics of commercial enzyme immuno assays(EIAs) detecting anti-HCV (hepatitis C virus). Antibody, and the relationship between transfusional history and the positivity of anti-HCV antibody, 117 positive and 32 negative
sera
by first generation Abbott (Abbott-1) EIA were compared with Ortho-1 and second generation EIAs-Abbott-2, Ortho-2, and additional 24 positive and 116 negative sera by Abbott-2 were compared with UBI-2.
The overall agreement between Abbott-1 and Ortho-1, Abbotta-1 and Abbott-2 was 81.2%, 77.9% respecively, and that between other EIAs was greater than 90%.
Abbott-1 EIA was affected by high serum IgG level. Positive numbers of anti-HCV antibody were different according the EIA tested: 77 by Abbott-1, 58 by Ortho-1, 49 by Abbott2, 46 by Ortho-2. These results demonstrate that first generation EIAs.
Especially Abbott-1 showed high false positivity.
Good agreement between EIAs was observed in healthy and possibly hepatitis patients, and discrodant agreement was seen between groups according to surrogate markers for non-A, non-B hepatitis or between some groups according to hepatitis B virus
markers. It showed that more than 90% of patients who were positive for anti-HCV antibody did not receive transfusion. Therefore, it is suggested that positive reactivity of anti-HCV antibody results from the parental transmission other than
blood
transfusion, and from sporadic, enteric transmission or false positive reaction of EIA.
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