Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific IgG antibodies due to past (resolved) or chronic hepatitis C. Past (resolved) HCV infection (accounting for about 25% of all HCV-infected patients) can be distinguished from chronic HCV infection (about 75% of all cases) only by direct detection of HCV RNA using molecular test methods; eg, HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Serum. HCV RNA is present in acute or chronic hepatitis C but not in past (resolved) HCV infection.

A negative result indicates the absence of HCV-specific IgG antibodies. A reactive HCV antibody screening test result with a negative HCV antibody confirmatory result indicates a probable false-reactive screening test result.

An indeterminate result indicates that HCV-specific IgG antibodies may or may not be present. Indeterminate results should be interpreted along with patient's risk factors for HCV infection and clinical findings. Individuals at risk for HCV infection with indeterminate results should be retested with an HCV antibody confirmatory test in 1 to 2 months to determine the definitive HCV antibody status. Molecular tests to detect HCV RNA may be necessary to determine HCV infection status in those at-risk immunocompromised patients with indeterminate HCV antibody confirmatory test results due to delayed appearance of fully complement of HCV-specific antibodies.

An unreadable result indicates nonspecific cross reactivity was present and HCV-specific antibody bands could not be visualized reliably. Repeat confirmatory serologic testing in 1 to 2 months or HCV RNA (HCVQN / Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] RNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR [RT-PCR], Serum) is recommended for at-risk patients.