COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF DIAGNOSTIC KITS FOR DETECTION OF ANTIBODIESTO HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

The sensitivities and specificities of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits f or the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were compare d in donor blood screening. A total of 3308 donors were examined using Akvapast immunodiagnosticum (St. Petersburg), lot 12. Anti-HCV antibo dies were detected in 43 (1.3%) subjects. Blood sera of these donors w ere additionally investigated using other lots of Akvapast. Hepascan ( Bioservice, Moscow), Blot-0.5 (Bioservice, Moscow), and immunoComb (Fr ance). The studies demonstrated that none of the agents used can be ac knowledged as ideally sensitive and specific for the detection of anti -HCV antibodies. Maximally sensitive diagnostic kits should be preferr ed for the screening of donors of blood components and for other mass surveys. Highly-specific test systems are advisable for profound exami nations and diagnostic monitoring. The creation of a system of referen ce and expert diagnosis of hepatitis C remains a pressing task.