Quantasure Plus

Out of curiosity, how accurate are the Quantasure Plus (serial) tests. At 6 months, my test said that <10 Iu/mL, means complete absence of HCV RNA, is that something you can take to the bank? Or should I get an antibody test to make sure?

[mremeet]

No test is 100% accurate, mistakes do happen. There are occasional false positives and negatives. But overall, modern testing is accurate and reliable, and <10 IU/ml is a good test with excellent sensitivity (not the very best though). Your best bet is to be tested regularly and repeatedly over a prolonged period of time to ensure the virus is gone (or isn't there in the first place). You mention "at 6 months" you were tested. At 6 months what? Did you clear acutely? Did you treat and the test was 6 months later? Or do you mean you were tested 6 months after your "exposure risk?" (hence "kindaworried24")  

Whatever the situation, I suppose there might be some scenarios that might warrant an antibody test. But If you were infected at any point in the past, you will almost certainly score a positive for antibodies, even if you are now clear of the virus. And if you were not infected in the past, it will simply indicate no presence of HCV antibodies (reaffirming your HCV RNA PCR test). So it's unlikely the AB test will offer you much info based on what you've said so far. Bottomline, listen to your doctor.

[kindaworried24]

Thanks for the help. I had a negative antibody at 3 months, the 6 months orasure was just a follow up....

Thanks

[kindaworried24]

I'm sorry, I meant quantasure at 6 months.

[frijole]

Hi - I am a little confused.  I thought you never had a negative antibody test once you had been exposed.  Are you saying that 3 months into the treatment, you had a negative antibody test?  I believe even when you are SVR you will have a positive antbody test.

The QuantaSure is a test with the sensitivity down to 2.  Once my GI ordered the QuantaSure Plus with the sensitivity to 10 -- I think the big difference on the 2 tests is that the Plus has a greater high range.  You might ask for the regular QuantaSure next time.  A test with the sensitivity of 10 is great, better than most get here, and you probably can have a comfort level that you are clear, but if you want to be even surer, drop the Plus.
frijole

[Bill1954]

Kindaworried,

Frijole gave you some good info above (hi Beans!). This qualifies her information;

http://www.shareholder.com/lh/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=74217

“Hepatitis C (HCV) QuantaSure™

LabCorp’s newly available Hepatitis C QuantaSure™ test is one of the most sensitive viral load tests available today, capable of detecting hepatitis C virus down to as few as 2 International Units (IU) per milliliter (mL). Given the assay's capability to detect such low levels of virus, physicians can be more confident about assessing viral clearance in their patients, thereby improving treatment management.

HCV QuantaSure™ Plus

To complement the HCV QuantaSure™ test, LabCorp will soon introduce the HCV QuantaSure™ Plus test which is the product of next generation PCR technology known as “TaqMan™ real time PCR.” HCV QuantaSure™ Plus features similar levels of sensitivity as the HCV QuantaSure™ test, but will boast the broadest dynamic range currently available in quantitative testing, 10 - 100 million IU/mL. With this type of dynamic range in a single test, physicians can more closely assess likelihood of cure at the end of treatment as well as more accurately measure treatment response in patients with high viral levels. Furthermore, the HCV QuantaSure™ Plus is highly automated, which will allow LabCorp to more efficiently accommodate the growing need for testing.

Of the estimated 4 million Americans infected with hepatitis C, only 130,000 currently receive treatment. With better therapies as well as improved diagnostics, physicians will be encouraged to identify and treat more HCV infected patients. Technologies such as LabCorp’s HCV QuantaSure™ Plus will help improve HCV patient management.”

Good luck,

Bill

[danceswithbirdies]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/578699?post_id=post_3200696

Please, not this again.  Nobody is going to give you anything you can take to the bank.  You are fine (and you know it, however much you are enjoying the drama) but you have to move on!

[kindaworried24]

Here is my situation. I have never been diagnosed with Hep C.,....I had a low risk back in January, and due to this risk I decided to get tested. I got tested at the 3 month mark, and the antibody test came back negative.

Then at 6 months, I wanted to make sure I was definantly ok. I asked for a PCR because I heard they were good tests. That's when I took the Quantasure Plus (Serial) at 6 months. It came back <10 Iu/mL, and I think the lowest it went was to 10. So I was less than 10, and it said on the results, "Less than 10 Iu/mL means almost complete absence of HCV RNA, except in rare occassions".

So I just wanted some advice. Didn't mean to **** people off, I am not knowledgeable about this so I wanted some help.

Thanks.

[Trinity4]

by Douglas Dieterich, MD


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Douglas Dieterich, MD  
Male
New York - NY
Member since May 2008  



, Jul 28, 2008 06:16AM
To: kindaworried
You are definitely in the clear! Lots of tests to be sure and all negative so continue your relationship and dont give this another thought, unless someone offers you cocaine again! Stay safe and well! DTD

You posted relatively the same thing on the expert forum and it was answered by one of the leading specialists in the country.  Make me understand why you keep putting yourself through this.  You do not have hepc.  This is one aspect of your life you do not have to worry about.  Please, go out and enjoy your life with no worries.
Trinity

[jmjm530]

"Less than 10 Iu/mL means almost complete absence of HCV RNA, except in rare occassions".
--------------------------------------------
The way the test reports are written can be confusing. What they mean to say is as far as this test is concerned you have no virus. The limit of the test is one of the most sensitive tests available. If you combine this test result with a negative antibody test you can be almost positive that you do not have Hepatitis C. I don't know your time line but if you're still anxious, you can always test again in six months but I really don't think it's necessary. If you do test again, here's an even more sensitive test that goes down to 5 IU/ml.
It's by Quest Diagnostics and is written: "HCV RNA QUALTATIVE TMA". Again, I don't think it's necessary you test again, but if you're still anxious in six months, then it's worth testing for that reason alone.

[kindaworried24]

Thanks for the response. But Trinity 4 is right, I have to realize I am negative.

Never was diagnosed in the past.

After my risk I had a 3 month antibody negative.

At 19 weeks I had an HCV RNA PCR Qualitative and it came back "Not Detected"

And lastly, at 6 months or 24 weeks. I had the Quantasure Plus (Serial) and it came back <10 Iu/mL.

So in conclusion, I think I am ok. A few people have already told me this already.

But I wanted to thank you for the response....