Description
Anti – HCV test cassette test is used as a diagnostic tool for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis C virus in human serum or plasma based on immunochromatography.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an enveloped and single-stranded RNA-containing virus from the Flaviviridae family. HCV is the primary etiological agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis transmitted parenterally and is one of the main causes of acute and chronic hepatitis worldwide. Like hepatitis B, it is usually transmitted parenterally. It is mainly transmitted from person to person through virus-carrying blood and blood products. Other forms of transmission are intravenous drug use and transmission of the virus from the infected mother to the baby during pregnancy. HCV can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Since the viral load of HCV is low, transmission of this virus from an infected person requires a longer exposure to transmission risk than other transmission routes. Sexual intercourse with chronic carriers is important in contamination and saliva may be the main source of infection in these cases. HCV-RNA is frequently reported in semen of infected persons. It is also easier for HCV to be taken sexually from an HIV-infected person. As a result, the amount of virus in circulation and its association with HIV infection are important in sexual transmission. Anti – HCV cassette test is a device that qualitatively detects whether there are antibodies produced against the HCV virus in serum or plasma samples taken. This test is only a screening test used for the detection of HCV antibodies. The results of this test cannot make a definitive diagnosis or conclusion. Additional diagnostic methods must be used.
