Comparative studies in detection of anti-HCV antibodies using Abbott IMx HCV, Serodia-HCV and DETECT-HCVTM

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been known to be a major etiologic agent of post .transfusion as well as sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide.  The ELISA testing is the routine assay for detecting HCV antibodies.  But it requires equipment and technical skill.  Serodia^Ò-HCV และ  DETECT-HCV^TM are test kits developed for the detection of anti-HCV. The principle of the test is passive haemagglutination and ELISA respectively.

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of both test kits with Abbott IMx HCV.

Method: Sera from 95 drug addict users who attended for treatment at Northern Drug Dependent Treatment Center of Chiang Mai and 69 pregnant women admitted at Mother and Child Hospital, Chiang Mai, are enrolled in this study. All sera samples are tested for anti-HCV by Serodia^Ò-HCV and DETECT-HCV^TM, and compared with Abbott IMx HCV as a standard test. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for both Serodia^Ò -HCV and DETECT-HCV^TM.

Result: From serum sample 164 cases, anti-HCV was detected using Abbott IMx, Serodia^Ò-HCV and DETECT- HCV^TM as 67, 67 and 64 respectively. Three samples collected from drug addict patient could not be detected by DETECT-HCV^T. The Serodia^Ò-HCV showed complete concordance results with Abbott-IMx HCV. Conclusion:  The  sensitivity  and  specificity  of  Serodia^Ò-HCV  were  100%  and  100%  respectively,  and  the sensitivity and specificity of DETECT-HCVTM were 95.6% and 100% respectively. This study demonstrated that Serodia^Ò -HCV are comparable to Abbott IMx HCV and more practical testing in small laboratory where sample size is small.  Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2010; 43: 63-69.