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Total HCV core antigen assay: A new marker of hepatitis C viremia for monitoring the progress of therapy
Author(s) -
Zanetti Alessandro R.,
Romanò Luisa,
Brunetto Maurizia,
Colombo Massimo,
Bellati Giorgio,
Tackney Charles
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.10355
Subject(s) - viremia , virology , hepatitis c virus , antigen , viral load , medicine , immunology , interferon , hepatitis c , antibody , virus
The ability of the total hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen assay was evaluated for monitoring the therapeutic responses of HCV‐infected patients treated with interferon. The ability to detect and quantitate an independent structural protein component of HCV, in the presence of circulating antibodies, makes this assay a valuable new tool in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Measurement of total core antigen showed a strong dynamic correlation with HCV RNA data and may serve as an alternative direct marker of viral infection. In addition, with the advent of additional treatment protocols, a rapid, reliable assay for changes in HCV load may permit more frequent patient assessment and tailoring of the therapeutic regimen. J. Med. Virol. 70: 27–30, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.