HCV is now known to be the causative agent for most, if not all, bloodborne non-A, non-B hepatitis. The presence of anti-HCV indicates that an individual may have been infected with HCV and may be capable of transmitting HCV infection. Also known as HCV antibody, non-A, non-B hepatitis.
Normal range: Negative.
Use
Screening for past (resolved) or chronic hepatitis C.
Interpretation
Increased In
Hepatitis C infection: Current and past exposure.
Limitations
Presence of HCV antibodies in serum does not imply protective immunity. False-positive anti-HCV results are rare in certain clinical settings, because the majority of persons being tested have evidence of liver disease, and the sensitivity and specificity of the screening assays are high. However, among populations with a low prevalence of HCV infection, false-positive results do occur. This is of concern when testing is performed on asymptomatic persons for whom no clinical information is available, when persons are being tested for HCV infection for the first time, and when testing is being used to determine the need for postexposure follow-up.
All HCV antibody " “positive samples should be followed by nucleic acid testing for HCVRNA according to the testing algorithm recommended by the CDC (MMWR, May 7, 2013).
If HCVRNA is detected, that indicates current infection. If HCVRNA is not detected, that indicates either past, resolved HCV infection or false-positive HCV antibody test.
HCV serologic testing is not useful for detection of early/acute HCV infection, and it is not useful for differentiating between past (resolved) and chronic hepatitis C. In most infected people, antibodies will show up in blood within 6 weeks to 3 months.
Infants born to HCV-infected mothers may have false-reactive HCV antibody test results due to transplacental passage of maternal HCV IgG antibodies. HCV antibody testing is not recommended until at least 18 months of age in these infants.
May remain negative in immunosuppression and renal failure, although it appears to be a rare finding.