APPLICATION OF A 2ND-GENERATION RECOMBINANT IMMUNOBLOT ASSAY TO ASSESS HEPATITIS-C INFECTION

Because significant morbidity and mortality are associated with the he patitis C virus (HCV), accurate diagnosis of infection is important. A ssays of varying sensitivities used to detect HCV dramatically impact diagnosis. To compare the accuracy of two assays, 129 patients were te sted. A screening enzyme immunoassay, the c100-3 HCV EIA (Abbott Labor atories, Abbott Park, Ill), and a second generation recombinant immuno blot assay, the RIBA II (Chiron Corp, Emeryville, Calif), were evaluat ed for detection of antibodies to HCV EIA results were positive for HC V in all but two patients; RIBA II results found 112 patients positive , 6 patients indeterminate, and 11 patients negative. Thus, the RIBA I I assay provides supplementary diagnostic information for evaluation o f HCV infection.