EFFICACY OF IMMUNOASSAY CHROMATOGRAPHY TEST FOR HEPATITIS-C ANTIBODIES DETECTION
Abstract
Objective: To asses the efficacy of commercially available tests device method for anti HCVdetection. Methods: Total 2000 blood samples for detection of anti HCV were screened initiallyby immunochromatographic method. Those found positive on initial screening were re-tested byELISA method at the Biochemistry Laboratory of the Pakistan Medical Research Council, FatimaJinnah Medical College, Lahore. Results: Out of a total of 2,000 blood samples, 177 were foundto be initially reactive/positive for anti-HCV with immunochromatographic method. When thesereactive/positive samples were retested for confirmation with ELISA, 47 blood samples werefound to have tested falsely positive for anti-HCV. Overall 2.35% of blood samples were found tobe tested false positive for anti-HCV by immunochromatographic device method. Conclusions:Immunochromatographic device method test is rapid and simple, which can be used in setting withlimited facility when rapid testing is required. However it should not be used as sole criteria fordiagnosis but should serve the purpose of initial screening only. Further research is required toestablish the reliability of such devices for their specificity and sensitivity.Keywords: Immunochromatographic device test, Elisa testing method, anti-HCV, false positiveReferences
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