Hepatitis C: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: None written.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Hepatitis C are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Blood Test

80%

32%

vs RIBA gold standard

Study: J Clin Microbiol 1992 Aug;30(8):2145-9. PMID 1323578

Untagged

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Anti-HCV Ab	92%	93%	first-generation enzyme immunoassay, vs HCV PCR Second generation tests are more sensitive (~95%) and reportedly more specific - PPV in high risk pool ~88% or 50% in lower risk pool. The mean time to seroconversion improves with the generation (16 wk with 1st gen, 10wk with 2nd gen, and 8wk in 3rd gen) per UpToDate (http://www.uptodate.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=heptitis/8251). Study: J Clin Microbiol 1992 Aug;30(8):2145-9. PMID 1323578 Hepatology 1997 Sep;26(3 Suppl 1):43S-47S. PMID 9305663
HCV Ab RIBA	94%	94%	RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay), vs HCV PCR RIBA is not intended to be used as a screening test but rather as a confirmatory test. In addition, note that there are 3 outcomes of RIBA: positive (>= 2 antigens reactivity), intermediate (1 antigen reactive), or negative. Intermediate RIBA does carry a higher PPV than negative but lower than a positive test. Study: J Clin Microbiol 1992 Aug;30(8):2145-9. PMID 1323578
HCV RNA	No accuracy specified.		now considered the "gold standard" - though note that some patients can have +ELISA and negative RNA PCR. In these patients, RIBA should be done to confirm past/current infection. Study: UpToDate http://www.uptodate.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=heptitis/8251