Recombinant immunoblot assay reaction patterns and hepatitis C virus RNA in blood donors and non-A, non-B hepatitis patients

Transfusion. 1993 Aug;33(8):634-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1993.33893342743.x.

Abstract

To establish the value of the second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-2) and cDNA polymerase chain reaction (cDNA PCR) for confirmation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, anti-HCV reaction patterns and the presence of HCV RNA were examined in 610 blood donors and 255 non-A, non-B hepatitis patients who were positive or indeterminate in RIBA-2. Of RIBA-2-positive donors (n = 191) and patients (n = 224), 75.4 and 89.7 percent, respectively, were HCV RNA positive. The most frequently observed anti-HCV recognition patterns in HCV RNA-positive donors and patients were c22, c33c, and c100 and/or 5-1-1 (67.3%, 57.7%) and c22, c33c (24.8%, 29.3%). Among subjects with a RIBA-2-indeterminate result, HCV RNA was detected more often in patients (n = 31) than in donors (n = 419): 67.7 and 2.1 percent, respectively. In viremic persons with single-band reactivity in RIBA-2, this reactivity was always directed against either c22 or c33c. HCV RNA was detected by cDNA PCR in none of 162 persons with only anti-c100 and/or anti-5-1-1 reactivity. Therefore, RIBA-2 reactivity against c100 in combination with 5-1-1 should not be considered positive but indeterminate. In RIBA-2-indeterminate persons, HCV RNA detection is necessary for reliable confirmation of HCV infection.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Donors*
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C / blood*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Viral / blood*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • DNA