Screening for hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Feb;38(2):575-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.2.575-577.2000.

Abstract

Immunosuppression from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may impair antibody formation, and false-negative hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) tests have been reported in individuals coinfected with HIV and HCV. It is unknown if the frequency of false-negative tests is sufficiently high to change screening recommendations in this setting. Thus, the prevalence of false-negative results for anti-HCV by third-generation tests was determined with samples from HIV-infected individuals. Sera from 559 HIV-infected and 944 HIV-negative prospectively followed injection drug users were tested for anti-HCV by a third-generation enzyme immunoassay and for HCV RNA by using a branched DNA assay and the HCV COBAS AMPLICOR system. Of 559 HIV-infected participants, 547 (97.8%) were anti-HCV positive. One of the remaining 12 anti-HCV-negative participants was HCV RNA positive, and she later developed detectable anti-HCV. Of the 944 HIV-negative participants, 825 (87.4%) were anti-HCV positive. One of the remaining 119 anti-HCV-negative participants was HCV RNA positive, and she also developed detectable anti-HCV at a later visit. These data indicate that HIV infection does not alter the approach to hepatitis C virus screening, which should be performed with third-generation assays for anti-HCV unless acute infection is suspected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral