Application of a Second Generation Recombinant Immunoblot Assay to Assess Hepatitis C Infection

Because significant morbidity and mortality are associated with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), accurate diagnosis of infection is important. Assays of varying sensitivities used to detect HCV dramatically impact diagnosis. To compare the accuracy of two assays, 129 patients were tested. A screening enzyme immunoassay, the c100-3 HCV EIA (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill), and a second generation recombinant immunoblot assay, the RIBA II (Chiron Corp, Emeryville, Calif), were evaluated for detection of antibodies to HCV EIA results were positive for HCV in all but two patients; RIBA II results found 112 patients positive, 6 patients indeterminate, and 11 patients negative. Thus, the RIBA II assay provides supplementary diagnostic information for evaluation of HCV infection.