What are the laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of hepatitis C as outlined in the chapter?
The laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of hepatitis C include: a positive anti-HCV screening test, a positive HCV RIBA, or a positive nucleic acid test (NAT) for HCV RNA. Additionally, if performed, there should be an absence of IgM antibody to HAV and an absence of IgM anti-HBc.
The diagnosis of hepatitis C is based on specific laboratory criteria. These include a positive screening test for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV), a positive result from the recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA), or a positive nucleic acid test (NAT) for HCV RNA. If serological tests for hepatitis A (IgM anti-HAV) and hepatitis B (IgM anti-HBc) are conducted, their absence is also required to confirm the diagnosis.
Key points
- Positive anti-HCV screening test
- Positive HCV RIBA
- Positive nucleic acid test for HCV RNA
- Absence of IgM anti-HAV (if tested)
- Absence of IgM anti-HBc (if tested)
Related questions
Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient
James W. Little DMD MS
Ninth Edition · Elsevier, Inc.