Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
VIRAL HEPATIT DERGISI-VIRAL HEPATITIS JOURNAL, cilt.12, sa.2, ss.68-72, 2007 (ESCI)
We aimed to determine the use of anti-HCV test in diagnosis of hepatitis C infection; and therefore, we analyzed the predictors of HCV-RNA positivity among anti-HCV positive patients in Turkey. Healthy blood donors who are admitted outpatient clinic of the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department of Ankara University in 2004, due to of their anti-HCV positivity were included. RT-PCR was used to detect HCV-RNA for confirmation of positive EIA results. Rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double stranted DNA (antidsDNA) were also studied. Seventy-four anti-HCV positive patients were included: 45% were male, the mean age was 45. Among 74 anti-HCV positive patients, 20 were found HCV-RNA positive. RF and ANA levels were not found to be associated with HCV-RNA positivity (p=0.717 and p=0.714 respectively). When antibody titration (signal-to-cut-off=s/co) of anti-HCV positive patients were evaluated, it was observed that s/co ratio was > 3 in all of the 20 patients who were HCV-RNA positive. Results were statistically significant when s/co ratio was assumed as 3 and 4. Low titers of anti-HCV must be confirmed by HCV-RNA. All countries should be determine their own cut off value. For our country a cut off value of > 4 for anti-HCV titer would better predict HCV-RNA positivity.