Hcv qual or quan

Which test is the most accurate one for diagnsosis of hepatitis c 1year after exposure and what exactly is occult hepatitis, would hcv rna come back positive in occult infection.  How safe is the blood supply with occult hepatitis?

[jmjm530]

I've used a number of different tests before, during and after treatment including the very popular Heptimax by Quest Diagnostics. In fact that is the test I used the most.

However, ttest I personally use since I've been non-detectible 4 weeks post treatment is Quest's HCV RNA Qualitative TMA  using the Bayer Versant technology. Sensitivity to 5-10 IU/ml. It won't give you a number but will just tell you that the virus is detectible or not detectible, but at that point that's all I really want to know.

As far as occult and persistent virus is concerned, I'll leave some of the details to others but just say that this is a controversial topic both here and in the medical community with some of the controversy surrounding te types of tests being used to detect the persistent virus. I do find the research interesting, however, and hopefully it will lead to more definitive answers one way or another.

Cuteus, maybe you can finger that Jules Levin article faster than me. It seems to present one side of the argument very well.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

I think I misunderstood your situation as it appears you haven't treated yet. In that case I'd recommend Quest's Heptimax test.
Heptimax combines a quantitative real-time PCR with a quantitative TMA. The TMA part is only run if the PCR shows that no virus is detected. Together they cover between 5 IU/ml and wll into the millions. You do get a number which can be useful if you haven't treated.