HCV Alpha

Liver

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No Fasting Required

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Hepatitis C antibody test.

₹19,536₹27,909

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HCV Alpha Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Detects hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and assesses immunological response to HCV infection
- Screens individuals with risk factors for HCV exposure including injection drug users, individuals with occupational needlestick exposure, and patients with chronic liver disease
- Evaluates patients presenting with symptoms of hepatitis such as jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes
- Performed as part of routine blood donor screening and prenatal screening to prevent transmission
- Confirms HCV infection status in patients with suspected or known exposure to the virus
Normal Range
- Negative Result: < 1.00 Signal/Cutoff (S/CO) ratio or Optical Density (OD) value below the established cutoff threshold
- Positive Result: ≥ 1.00 Signal/Cutoff (S/CO) ratio or Optical Density (OD) value at or above the established cutoff threshold
- Borderline/Equivocal Result: Results within a gray zone that may require repeat testing or additional confirmation with supplemental assays (typically between 0.90-1.10 S/CO)
- Normal Interpretation: Negative result indicates no detectable HCV antibodies; suggests absence of HCV infection or very early infection (window period)
- Abnormal Interpretation: Positive result indicates presence of HCV antibodies; consistent with current or past HCV infection
Interpretation
- Negative Result: No HCV antibodies detected; patient likely not infected with hepatitis C virus, though recent exposures within the window period (typically 4-10 weeks) may not be detected
- Positive Result: HCV antibodies present; indicates either current HCV infection or past infection that has resolved; does not distinguish between active and resolved infection
- Equivocal Result: May indicate borderline positive; requires repeat testing or supplemental confirmation with recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) or HCV RNA testing
- High S/CO Values: Generally indicate higher antibody titers, suggesting more robust immune response; may correlate with active or recent infection
- Low Positive Values: May represent false positives, remote past infection, or very early active infection; confirmation testing is recommended
- Factors Affecting Results: Immunosuppression may cause false negatives; cross-reactivity with other infections may cause false positives; timing of test relative to infection affects accuracy
- Clinical Significance: Positive result necessitates HCV RNA testing to confirm active infection and establish infectivity status; critical for treatment planning and prevention of transmission
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ: Liver - HCV primarily targets and replicates in hepatocytes; chronic infection leads to hepatic inflammation and injury
- Associated Conditions: Chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic fibrosis, and hepatic steatosis
- Extrahepatic Manifestations: Cryoglobulinemia (primarily type II), glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid factor positivity, and vasculitis
- Secondary Organ Involvement: Kidneys (HCV-related glomerulonephritis), peripheral nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), and immune system (autoimmune phenomena)
- Potential Complications: End-stage liver disease, hepatic decompensation, portal hypertension, esophageal varices, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome
- Malignancy Risk: Chronic HCV infection significantly increases risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis
Follow-up Tests
- HCV RNA Testing (Quantitative and Qualitative): Recommended for all positive HCV antibody tests to confirm active infection and determine viral load; critical for treatment decisions
- HCV Genotype Testing: Determines HCV genotype (1-6) to guide antiviral treatment selection and predict treatment response and duration
- Liver Function Tests: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, bilirubin, and prothrombin time to assess hepatic function
- Fibrosis Assessment Tests: FIB-4 index, APRI score, elastography (transient or acoustic radiation force impulse), or liver biopsy to stage hepatic fibrosis
- Platelet Count and Complete Blood Count: Assess for thrombocytopenia and anemia associated with portal hypertension and chronic liver disease
- Hepatitis B and HIV Testing: Screen for coinfections that affect disease progression and treatment strategies
- Imaging Studies: Abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to assess for cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance
- Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA): Confirmatory test for equivocal or borderline positive results to improve specificity
- Monitoring Frequency: Post-treatment, periodic HCV RNA testing to assess sustained virological response (SVR); annual imaging for HCC surveillance in cirrhotic patients
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Required: No
- Special Instructions: No fasting is necessary for HCV Alpha testing; food and fluid intake do not affect antibody detection
- Medications: No specific medications need to be discontinued prior to testing; continue all routine medications as prescribed
- Patient Preparation: Routine venipuncture precautions apply; patient should be adequately hydrated; inform phlebotomist of any bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use
- Timing Considerations: Test can be performed at any time of day; for optimal window period detection, retest at 4-10 weeks post-exposure if initial negative result obtained with suspected recent exposure
- Sample Requirements: Single blood draw (typically 5-10 mL) collected in standard serum separator tube or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube depending on laboratory protocol

How our test process works!