Aa
I'm new here
Hello:
I'm new on the forum.
A short history
I was born in 1948. In 1975 I had a blood transfusion to save my life, and apparently was infected with a few pathogens that I did not know about until about the year 2000 to the present ( although they reeked havoc with my health).
From 1976 to about 1999 I was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases that turned out to be mis- diagnoses ( Lupus, Heymolytic anemia, Idiopathic Uveitis). I did not take any treatment for those diagnoses. In 2001 I was dx's by PCR with Lyme and by Western blot for Babesia. I was an excellent responder with antibiotics for Lyme and anti-malarials for Babesia and my symptoms were alleviated.
This summer ( 2014) my Dr. had me tested for HIV, Hepatitis A, B & C and Syphilis. I was negative for everything except anti-HCV was positive. A follow on RNA PCR test (on the same blood sample) was negative. The tests were done at reputable labs with the latest generation tests.
SO... my question:
From my research, it appears to me, that if I assume my Anti-HCV test is not a false positive, then I have chronic HCV even though I have never had elevated liver enzymes. I read the Mfg. data sheet on the ANti-HCV test I had, and it does not cross react with ANY other species, except HCV ( and I know HDV is a sub species of HVB, and I was negative for HBV).
My Dr. thinks that if I have 2 negative PCRs 6 months appart it means my body cleared the virus..........although I say, that if I really have the antibdoies expressed to 3 regions of the virus- then I have the virus in me. A negative PCR just means it wasn't in my blood at the time of the blood draw- right??
So... Hmmmmmmmm do I need a liver specialist? Or a consultation with one? I'm sure there are more knowledgeale people on this list than I am.
Thanks..
bp
I'm new on the forum.
A short history
I was born in 1948. In 1975 I had a blood transfusion to save my life, and apparently was infected with a few pathogens that I did not know about until about the year 2000 to the present ( although they reeked havoc with my health).
From 1976 to about 1999 I was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases that turned out to be mis- diagnoses ( Lupus, Heymolytic anemia, Idiopathic Uveitis). I did not take any treatment for those diagnoses. In 2001 I was dx's by PCR with Lyme and by Western blot for Babesia. I was an excellent responder with antibiotics for Lyme and anti-malarials for Babesia and my symptoms were alleviated.
This summer ( 2014) my Dr. had me tested for HIV, Hepatitis A, B & C and Syphilis. I was negative for everything except anti-HCV was positive. A follow on RNA PCR test (on the same blood sample) was negative. The tests were done at reputable labs with the latest generation tests.
SO... my question:
From my research, it appears to me, that if I assume my Anti-HCV test is not a false positive, then I have chronic HCV even though I have never had elevated liver enzymes. I read the Mfg. data sheet on the ANti-HCV test I had, and it does not cross react with ANY other species, except HCV ( and I know HDV is a sub species of HVB, and I was negative for HBV).
My Dr. thinks that if I have 2 negative PCRs 6 months appart it means my body cleared the virus..........although I say, that if I really have the antibdoies expressed to 3 regions of the virus- then I have the virus in me. A negative PCR just means it wasn't in my blood at the time of the blood draw- right??
So... Hmmmmmmmm do I need a liver specialist? Or a consultation with one? I'm sure there are more knowledgeale people on this list than I am.
Thanks..
bp
Thanks everyone for your replies.
With the help of another forum, I did find a reference showing
Anti-HCV can be reactive ( with RNA PCR negative ) 25 years post infection. (the link is attached).
I will go through with the 2 additional RNA PCR tests ( spaced 6 months apart) as my Dr. suggests, since I am 39 years post infection and she has never had a patient be RNA PCR neg after a reactive anti-HCV test.
Liver panels for the last 30 years have been fine- so re-infection is not suspected.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1728443/pdf/v049p00423.pdf
bp9191
With the help of another forum, I did find a reference showing
Anti-HCV can be reactive ( with RNA PCR negative ) 25 years post infection. (the link is attached).
I will go through with the 2 additional RNA PCR tests ( spaced 6 months apart) as my Dr. suggests, since I am 39 years post infection and she has never had a patient be RNA PCR neg after a reactive anti-HCV test.
Liver panels for the last 30 years have been fine- so re-infection is not suspected.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1728443/pdf/v049p00423.pdf
bp9191
I agree that its very important to have peace of mind and would retest to be sure if you have doubts.
May you continue to test negative in all future tests.
Best wishes
Nan
May you continue to test negative in all future tests.
Best wishes
Nan
OK- Thanks for all the replies -
but I cannot find any references about a HCV antibody living for longer than 20 years. It is thought that a memory T cell may live longer (and maybe that confers immunity), but the Anti-HCV test is measuring IgG antibodies, not T cells.
On page 11, bottom left paragraph, this 2014 paper states not much is known about the protective life long immunity following spontaneous clearance of HCV . It looks like the memory T cells live longer than the antibies (which gie out over time).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058636/pdf/fimmu-05-00274.pdf
I've not been exposed to any blood products, I have no tatoos, never used IVDrugs - my only exposure to blood was a transfusion in 1975 ( and hepatitis 2 months later).
So. I guess...
If I assume my Anti-HCV is not a false positive, then with this 2014 paper, my mind is not at ease with a Neg RNA PCR and I should probably be retested again periodically.
bp9191
but I cannot find any references about a HCV antibody living for longer than 20 years. It is thought that a memory T cell may live longer (and maybe that confers immunity), but the Anti-HCV test is measuring IgG antibodies, not T cells.
On page 11, bottom left paragraph, this 2014 paper states not much is known about the protective life long immunity following spontaneous clearance of HCV . It looks like the memory T cells live longer than the antibies (which gie out over time).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058636/pdf/fimmu-05-00274.pdf
I've not been exposed to any blood products, I have no tatoos, never used IVDrugs - my only exposure to blood was a transfusion in 1975 ( and hepatitis 2 months later).
So. I guess...
If I assume my Anti-HCV is not a false positive, then with this 2014 paper, my mind is not at ease with a Neg RNA PCR and I should probably be retested again periodically.
bp9191
I think your doctor is being cautious to rule out recent infection. This table of possible HCV testing results may be helpful to you and others.
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P4/p43076.pdf
Here is a quote from this Mayo Clinic webpage:
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/80190
"Loss of HCV antibodies may occur several years following resolution of infection."
I interpret that to mean, some may clear the antibodies, others may not.
Nan
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P4/p43076.pdf
Here is a quote from this Mayo Clinic webpage:
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/80190
"Loss of HCV antibodies may occur several years following resolution of infection."
I interpret that to mean, some may clear the antibodies, others may not.
Nan
"Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood."
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
You could have another PCR ran just for piece of mind (you think it might be wrong and just want conformation) but IMHO there really is no need, one thing about hep c, you either have it or you don't, it is never "in remission".
Her are some informative links on hep c
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5
http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p79.html
Have a great day
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
You could have another PCR ran just for piece of mind (you think it might be wrong and just want conformation) but IMHO there really is no need, one thing about hep c, you either have it or you don't, it is never "in remission".
Her are some informative links on hep c
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5
http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p79.html
Have a great day
One more question please to the gurus -
Does any one have a reference whereby if the Anti-HCV is reactive, it is reactive for life?
Thanks.
Does any one have a reference whereby if the Anti-HCV is reactive, it is reactive for life?
Thanks.
OK Thanks everyone!.
I didn't think antibodies could live for 40 years!!
If I'm one of the ones that cleared the virus ( then I'm very happy).
I thought that no viral load detectable on a PCR just meant the virus was not in my blood, but sequestered somewhere and could re-emerge at a later time - hense my docs requirement that have have 2 more PCRs 6 months appart.
bp9191
I didn't think antibodies could live for 40 years!!
If I'm one of the ones that cleared the virus ( then I'm very happy).
I thought that no viral load detectable on a PCR just meant the virus was not in my blood, but sequestered somewhere and could re-emerge at a later time - hense my docs requirement that have have 2 more PCRs 6 months appart.
bp9191
Is it possible for someone to become infected with HCV and then spontaneously clear the infection?
Yes. Approximately 15%–25% of persons clear the virus from their bodies without treatment and do not develop chronic infection; the reasons for this are not well known.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5
A reactive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has Hepatitis C. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if even if they have cleared the Hepatitis C virus. A reactive antibody test requires an additional, follow-up test to determine if a person is currently infected with Hepatitis C.
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
As stated by Nan
"The negative HCV RNA PCR test shows you have no viral load and do not have chronic HCV."
Have a great day
Yes. Approximately 15%–25% of persons clear the virus from their bodies without treatment and do not develop chronic infection; the reasons for this are not well known.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5
A reactive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has Hepatitis C. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if even if they have cleared the Hepatitis C virus. A reactive antibody test requires an additional, follow-up test to determine if a person is currently infected with Hepatitis C.
http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/LearnMore.htm
As stated by Nan
"The negative HCV RNA PCR test shows you have no viral load and do not have chronic HCV."
Have a great day
" I was negative for everything except anti-HCV was positive. A follow on RNA PCR test (on the same blood sample) was negative.... From my research, it appears to me, that if I assume my Anti-HCV test is not a false positive, then I have chronic HCV even though I have never had elevated liver enzymes."
The anti-HCV test being positive shows you were exposed to HCV sometime in your life and have the antibodies. The negative HCV RNA PCR test shows you have no viral load and do not have chronic HCV.
Welcome to this forum. I'm sure others will respond to your questions.
Nan
The anti-HCV test being positive shows you were exposed to HCV sometime in your life and have the antibodies. The negative HCV RNA PCR test shows you have no viral load and do not have chronic HCV.
Welcome to this forum. I'm sure others will respond to your questions.
Nan
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