could someone explain what this means

HCV Ab w/Rflx to RIBA
HCV Ab                            >11.0 High     s/co ratio                       0.0-0.9
positive
thanks all

[Bill1954]

It appears that those are lab results indicating a positive (reactive) for HCV antibody. Our bodies develop antibodies when infected with a pathogen; in this case Hepatitis C virus. The antibodies themselves are not a health issue, but indicate exposure and possible infection.

The “w/Rflx to RIBA” means that if (and only if) the antibody results are positive, another, more *specific* test will be issued, using the same blood sample. The reason for this is that the antibody test occasionally has false positive/false negative results. The RIBA test should be considered quite specific for HCV exposure.

If the RIBA result is positive, this is generally followed up with a “HCV RNA by PCR” test, which confirms or denies the presence of active virus. The important thing to remember is that a positive antibody test doesn’t always mean that the patient is infected with HCV RNA, the active Hepatitis C virus.

Good luck with the upcoming additional results, and let us know how things are going forward.

Take care—

Bill

[Trinity4]

by jonney4141


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Jonney,
I'm confused -  You posted this on the expert forum. Are you seeking info regarding another recent antibody test?  According to your post below you have already had an HCV RNA PCR which confirms you have the virus.  At this point, positive antibody test means nothing if your have a confirmed RNA PCR.

jonney4141
Female
VA
Member since Oct 2008  

Oct 08, 2008 06:55PM
just been diagnosed with hep c, my quantitation was 4,400,000 my hcv log10 was 6.643  my pt was 0.9 and my ast was 99, and alt was 109. i am having a liver biopsy monday, do i have something to worry about with these results?
thanks

[jonney4141]

hi trinity, i have been looking over my lab results and i was just wondering what all of this means, yes i know i have hep c but alot of things on the lab tests are a foreign language to me. i want to know what it all means. sorry for asking so many questions, and for confusing you. i am trying to learn all i can about all of this.
thanks
j4141

[Trinity4]

No, please don't think I was discouraging you from asking questions.  By all means ask away.  I just thought maybe you had another antibody test and that wasn't making any sense to me.  Lab results can be very confusing.  I'm pretty certain you haven't started treatment yet, but if and when you do, it becomes easier to identify what the results indicate.  You start looking and the platelets, red and white counts and know exactly what your up against.  If there are any other results you need clarification on, please post and we will be glad to assist.
Trinity

[jonney4141]

aaawww thank you sooooo much trinity, i really appreciate that! i see doc on nov 27th.