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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> Anti HCV Postive but PCR Negative (Report says "Not detected").
Post Info TOPIC: Anti HCV Postive but PCR Negative (Report says "Not detected").
Cinnamon Girl


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RE: Anti HCV Postive but PCR Negative (Report says "Not detected").
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Hello again, Asif, thanks for giving us updated information on your situation. 

Well, if your repeat HCV antibody test was negative then it does suggest that the first one was possibly a false positive result, although I can`t say for sure.

There most probably isn`t any need to have another PCR done, but I would be guided by your doctor`s advice.

Wishing you all the best.



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Asif C


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Hello,

As Tig mentioned that my S/co value is low and as per advise of my Doctor, i again tested Anti HCV from another lab and now the result is negative.

After getting this result from a very reputable lab , is there any need to done another PCR test (As suggested by Jill).

Please advise.

Thanks.



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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi Asif, yes that would be correct.  It means that the test can only detect a viral load if it`s more than 15 IU/ml, because that`s the lower limit of detection.

(> = more than, < = less than)

The most important bit is `Viral Load: HCV RNA IU/ml = NOT DETECTED`, which means you have nothing to worry about. 

Hope that helps. 

 



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Asif C


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Posts: 4
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Hi,

Thanks Jill and Tig for your replies.

One correction in PCR test

Please read 

This assay accurately detects HCV RNA > 15 IU/ml.

 

instead of

 

This assay accurately detects HCV RNA < 15 IU/ml.

 

what does it mean.

 

Thanks



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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi again Asif, thanks for showing us your lab reports.  This confirms what you told us when you last posted, that you have had Hep C at some point in the past and so you have HCV antibodies, but you do not have an active infection as no viral load can be detected. 

The COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HCV V2.0 test used by your laboratory has a lower limit of detection of 15 IU/ml, and no virus could be detected above that level, so the virus is considered to be undetected.

As Tig mentioned, your ALT and AST levels are slightly raised but that could be related to your mildly fatty liver. 

I should follow your doctor`s advice, and continue with regular visits to have your blood levels monitored. 

Apart from that, you have nothing to worry about!  No virus, no treatment needed, be happy!  smile



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Tig


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Hello Asif,

I still believe as stated before, that you appear to have cleared the active infection spontaneously during the acute (first) stage of the active infection. That's something you should be very happy about! That simply means your own immune system was able to attack and destroy the active infection. However, you will always have a positive HCV antibody test and this will prohibit you from donating blood or blood products for life. Your s/co value is below the recognized value of 3.68. A value above that warrants a test like the PCR to determine if there is an active infection. Your value now shows no reason to believe you do and that was confirmed by the HCV RNA viral load test. Since your liver function tests, the ALT and AST are at the upper limits of normal I would have your doctor repeat them in the near future. You've had previous health issues that may be responsible for this but testing and monitoring by your doctor are warranted. But the very good news is you do not have an active or chronic form of HCV. That's excellent Asif! Good luck!

 http://hepatitis.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/LiverEnzymes.htm

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/antibody_test.pdf



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Asif C


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Hello,

Thanks for your replies.

Below are my reports. Need your comments.

 

Anti-HCV    Positive S/CO value 2.69 

 

PCR TEST:  

 

HCV DETECTION BY PCR (Real Time)

 

Viral Load:                HCV RNA IU/ml = NOT DETECTED

 

COMMENTS:

 

-     The COBAS ® Ampliprep/COBAS ® TaqMan ® HCV V2.0 test is used for detection and quantification of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in human plasma/serum.

 

-    It detects the presence and levels of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in patients and indicates if they are actively infected with HCV.

 

-          This assay accurately detects HCV RNA < 15 IU/ml.

 

-          Correlation of laboratory  results with clinical finding is advised.

 

LFT Results.

 

                                                         Reference Value        

Bilirubin Total             0.6 mg/dl         Upto 1.00

ALT                            37 U/L             Upto 40

AST                             42 U/L             Upto 40

Alk. Phosphatase        126 U/L           90 280

Total Protein               7.4 g/dl            6.5 8.5

Serum Albumin           4.3 g/dl           3.8 4.4

Serum Globulin           3.1 g/dl           2.3 3.5

A/G Ratio                    1.38                1.2 2-2 

    

Ultra Sound Results:

All results are okay except below two.

 

-          Mildly Fatty liver minimal enlarged (1 cm enlarged)

-          Spleen enlarged by 2 cm.

 

Today I had meeting with liver specialist doctor and he told me no need to worry. Fatty liver due to my nature of job as I have to sit 9 hours (6 days a week) in front of laptop and he advise me to take 25 to 30 minutes daily walk. 

For spleen enlargement , he told me its because viral infection (last month i have dengue fever). 

 

He further advise me to avoid fried food for a while.

According to the above reports please advise your comments.

Thanks

 



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Tig


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Hello Asif, 

I'd like to welcome you to the forum as well. I read the reply from Jill and want to let you know that I agree with her completely. It's a moment in your life when you hear something like this and search high and low for answers. You've found a forum full of knowledgeable, caring individuals and I hope the information you find here helps you relax and feel confident about your situation. 



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

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Cinnamon Girl


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Hi Asif, welcome to the forum.  I`ll try to help you with your questions.

First of all, if your PCR test says `Not Detected` then it means you do not have an active infection, which is the most important thing.  Your positive HCV antibody test shows that you have been infected with Hep C at some point in the past but it`s very likely that your own immune system cleared it spontaneously. 

So these are my replies (to the best of my knowledge)...

1. Yes, you are clear from HCV.

2. It`s highly unlikely you could infect anyone else with HCV, although the advice for anyone who has been infected with HCV at any time is to take sensible precautions.  Clean up blood spills thoroughly with bleach if possible, do not share personal hygiene items which could have traces of blood on them, for example toothbrushes, nail scissors or clippers, or razors.  This is because even though your PCR test cannot detect any virus, there`s a very slight chance you still have an extremely low level of virus particles in your blood stream which your immune system is keeping in check.  This is why people with HCV antibodies can never be blood donors for the rest of their lives.

3. No, you do not need treatment if the virus is not detected.

4. It would be extremely unlikely that you could pass on the virus to your wife through normal sexual relations, even if you had an active infection.  There needs to be direct blood to blood contact for transmission to take place.

Just one more thing I`d like to add.  If you were infected very recently, within the last few months, it would probably be a sensible idea to get another PCR test done in about 6 months` time, just to make absolutely certain you are clear.  But it doesn`t look as though you have anything to worry about.

Hope that helps!

 



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Asif C


Newbie

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Posts: 4
Date:
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Dear All,

My anti HCV test Positive with value 2.69 but my PCR test negative (Report says "Not detected"). I have few questions.

1) I am clear from HCV ?

2) Can i transfer HCV to other as Anti HCV test positive. 

3) I need the treatment?

4) I need to take any special care regarding relationship with my wife?

 

Please reply.

Thanks.



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