HCV (Hepatitis C virus)
Sample: Serum
Schedule: Daily
Units:
Range: Negative
Remarks: Most cases of non-A non-B hepatitis viral infections are caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly in post transfused patients. HCV infection is a progressive disease that leads in some cases to chronic hepatic cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic failure. Although HCV is transmited mainly by blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse and dialysis, it also may be transmited sexually. A positive HCV antibodies test must be confirmed with HCV RNA quantitative PCR technique.
