Efficacy of different second- and third-generation assays for detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies in plasma and sera also tested by polymerase chain reaction

Sera or plasma from 52 blood donors, initially reactive by Ortho HCV EIA 2.0 were tested by other immunoassays (Abbott HCV EIA, UBI HCV EIA and Innotest HCV EIA). Positivity was confirmed by confirmatory assays (RIBA 2.0 or RIBA 3.0 and Inno-LIA or Inno-LIA III); hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detected by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). Forty-four (84.6%) were repeatedly positive by Ortho, 41 (78.8%) by Abbot, 37 (71.2%) by Innotest and 36 (69.2%) by UBI. When tested for RIBA 2.0, 35 (67.3%) were positive. Only 26 sera (50%) were positive for HCV RNA. None of the Innotest or UBI negative sera were positive for HCV RNA nor for confirmatory tests. UBI and Innotest seem more reliable for detection of antibodies against HCV, and combined application of anti-HCV immunoblot assay and HCV RNA detection by PCR is required for confirmation of HCV infection.