Hepatitis C antibody detection in dried blood spots

Citation
B. Mccarron et al., Hepatitis C antibody detection in dried blood spots, J VIRAL HEP, 6(6), 1999, pp. 453-456
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
ISSN journal
13520504 → ACNP
Volume
6
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
453 - 456
Database
ISI
SICI code
1352-0504(1999)6:6<453:HCADID>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
In the UK, there have been few studies of the seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). As part of an ongoing prevalence study of HCV in injecting drug users, we have developed a technique for detecting an ti-HCV in blood spots dried on filter paper using a commercially available assay. Subjects with and without serum anti-HCV were studied. The manufactu rer's recommended cut-off (CO) for a positive anti-HCV result is kit-depend ent, and therefore a ratio of test result (T) to kit CO was used to standar dize results. T/CO values greater than 0.99 had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 87.5% for anti-HCV detection. T/CO values greater than 1.99 had a sensitivity of 97.2% and a specificity of 100%. Hence, testing dried blood spots may be useful for detecting anti-HCV in epidemiological studie s and as a diagnostic test in patients with poor peripheral venous access.