Shepherd, S.J., Kean, J., Hutchinson, S.J., Cameron, S., Goldberg, D.J., Carman, W.F., Gunson, R.N. and Aitken, C. (2013) A hepatitis C avidity test for determining recent and past infections in both plasma and dried blood spots. Journal of Clinical Virology, 57(1), pp. 29-35. (doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2013.01.002)
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Abstract
<p>Background: DBS testing has been used successfully to detect HCV antibody positive individuals. Determining how long someone has been infected is important for surveillance initiatives. Antibody avidity is a method that can be used to calculate recency of infection.</p> <p>Objectives: A HCV avidity assay was evaluated for both plasma and DBS.</p> <p>Study design: To measure antibody avidity a commercial HCV ELISA was modified using 7 M urea. The plasma samples were split into: group 1 (recently infected N = 19), group 2 (chronic carrier N = 300) and group 3 (resolved infection N = 82). Mock DBS made from group 1 (N = 12), group 2 (N = 50), group 3 (N = 25) and two seroconverter panels were evaluated. 133 DBS taken from patients known to have a resolved infection or be a chronic carrier were also tested.</p> <p>Results: The avidity assay cut-off was set at AI ≤ 30 for a recent infection. Using sequential samples the assay could detect a recent infection in the first 4–5 months from the point of infection. Most of the false positive results (AI < 30 among cases known not to have had recent infection) were detected among known resolved infections, in both the plasma and DBS; as a result, a testing algorithm has been designed incorporating both PCR and two dilution factors. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay on plasma was 100% and 99.3%, respectively, while DBS had 100% sensitivity and 98.3% specificity.</p> <p>Conclusion: The HCV avidity assay can be used to distinguish between chronic and recent infection using either plasma or DBS as the sample type.</p>
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Kean, Dr Joy and Goldberg, Prof David |
Authors: | Shepherd, S.J., Kean, J., Hutchinson, S.J., Cameron, S., Goldberg, D.J., Carman, W.F., Gunson, R.N., and Aitken, C. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity |
Journal Name: | Journal of Clinical Virology |
ISSN: | 1386-6532 |
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