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Semin Liver Dis 2004; 24: 9-18
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832923
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Use of Diagnostic Testing for Managing Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez1 , Mitchell L. Shiffman2
  • 1Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
  • 2Department of Hepatology Section, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 September 2004 (online)

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Serological and virological testing for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection. Recent advances in molecular virology tests and the development of a new international unit standard have greatly simplified the use and interpretation of these tests. In the absence of treatment, baseline serum HCV RNA does not change over time and does not correlate with the severity of hepatic inflammation or fibrosis on liver biopsy. In contrast, changes in serum HCV RNA level are important predictors of virological response to treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

KEYWORDS

Hepatitis C - diagnosis - polymerase chain reaction - enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay - branched-chain DNA assay

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Mitchell L ShiffmanM.D. 

Hepatology Section, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Box 980341, Richmond, VA 23298

Email: mshiffma@hsc.vcu.edu