Identification of serologically silent occult hepatitis C virus infection by detecting immunoglobulin G antibody to a dominant HCV core peptide epitope

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J Hepatol. 2008 Nov 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Identification of serologically silent occult hepatitis C virus infection by

detecting immunoglobulin G antibody to a dominant HCV core peptide epitope.

Quiroga JA, Castillo I, Llorente S, Bartolomé J, Barril G, Carreño V.

Fundación para el Estudio de las Hepatitis Virales, Guzman el Bueno, 72 28015

Madrid, Spain.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Occult HCV infection has been described among anti-HCV-HCV

RNA-negative individuals with abnormal transaminase values in whom HCV RNA is

detected in liver. METHODS: IgG antibody to an HCVcore-derived peptide

(anti-HCVcore) was investigated in 145 patients with serologically silent occult

HCV infection. RESULTS: At the time of the diagnostic biopsy 45/145 (31%) occult

HCV-infected patients tested IgG anti-HCVcore-positive but none of the 140

patients with HCV-unrelated liver disease (P