Aa
Test interpretation
Hello.
I need help interpreting the HCV AB test.
I hope I'm asking in the right place.
Well the test result cam back reading as this:
Reference range <1.00 non-reactive
In range 0.11 non-reactive.
I know it came back negative, but it seems there was a very minimal slight reaction,
Is there any significance in this?
What could this mean?
Should the test be retaken in a few months?
I need help interpreting the HCV AB test.
I hope I'm asking in the right place.
Well the test result cam back reading as this:
Reference range <1.00 non-reactive
In range 0.11 non-reactive.
I know it came back negative, but it seems there was a very minimal slight reaction,
Is there any significance in this?
What could this mean?
Should the test be retaken in a few months?
Best Answer
Thanks, I selected this as best answer in return for your time, much appreciated.
Thank you for your quick reply.
I would appreciate clarification:
"Should the test be retaken in a few months?"
"Only if you have a risk of exposure recently"
There might have been a possible risk exposure 7 months prior.
Do you think retesting would be advisable?
If its not a false negative what could cause the slight cross reaction?
Lastly is this type of slight reaction common for HCV AB tests?
I apologize if my question seems negligeable, but it is of real concern to me, your reply is much appreciated.
I would appreciate clarification:
"Should the test be retaken in a few months?"
"Only if you have a risk of exposure recently"
There might have been a possible risk exposure 7 months prior.
Do you think retesting would be advisable?
If its not a false negative what could cause the slight cross reaction?
Lastly is this type of slight reaction common for HCV AB tests?
I apologize if my question seems negligeable, but it is of real concern to me, your reply is much appreciated.
"Is there any significance in this?"
No
"What could this mean?"
Nothing other than you are non reactive for HCV antibodies
"Should the test be retaken in a few months?"
Only if you have a risk of exposure recently
No
"What could this mean?"
Nothing other than you are non reactive for HCV antibodies
"Should the test be retaken in a few months?"
Only if you have a risk of exposure recently
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Do you think retesting would be advisable?"
You do not have HCV, you do not need anymore testing and the only part of your prior test that makes any difference is the part that says non reactive but if you really want to get into s/co ratio's on HCV AB tests
Signal-to-Cut–Off Ratios for Commercially Available Assays
CDC has recommended that a person be considered to have serologic evidence of HCV infection only after an anti-HCV screening-test-positive result has been verified by a more specific serologic test (e.g., RIBA) or a nucleic acid test (NAT). This more specific, supplemental testing is necessary, particularly in populations with a lower prevalence of disease, to identify and exclude false positive screening test results. However, currently, the majority of laboratories report positive anti-HCV results based on a positive screening assay alone.
The recommended anti-HCV testing algorithm has been expanded to include an option that uses the signal-to-cut–off (s/co) ratios of screening-test--positive results. This can serve as an alternative to a supplemental test in some circumstances, minimizing the number of specimens that require supplemental testing and providing a result that has a high probability of reflecting the person's true antibody status.
Signal-to-cut–off ratios are calculated by dividing the optical density (OD) value of the sample being tested by the OD value of the assay cut-off for that run. Analysis of enzyme immunoassay and chemiluminescence assay data indicates that s/co ratios can be used to predict supplemental test-positive results. A specific s/co ratio can be identified for each test that would predict a true antibody-positive result (as defined by the results of supplemental testing) ≥95% of the time, regardless of the anti-HCV prevalence or characteristics of the population being tested.
Implementation of these recommendations will provide more reliable results for physicians and their patients, so that further counseling and clinical evaluation are limited to those confirmed to have been infected with HCV. This is especially critical for persons being tested for HCV infection for the first time, for persons being tested in non-clinical settings, and for those being tested to determine the need for medical referral. Implementation of these recommendations also will improve public health surveillance systems.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/LabTesting.htm