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The test kit Vitrotest® HBsAg is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of surface antigen of Hepatitis B Virus (HBsAg) in human serum or plasma.
Detection of the presence of HBsAg in the test kit Vitrotest® HBsAg is based on a solid-phase "sandwich" ELISA.
○ ТК016 - 96 tests
○ ТК059 - 192 tests
○ TK127 - 480 tests- Solid phase: microplate ELISA is coated with monoclonal antibodies to HBsAg.
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to HBsAg conjugated with horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 100 μl.
- Assay time: 2.5 hours.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The aetiology of ‘‘serum hepatitis’’, as it was known for many years, was not identified, until the discovery of the so-called Au antigen by Blumberg et al. in 1965 [Blumberg et al., 1965] led to the identification of viral particles by Dane et al. several years later [Dane et al., 1970].
Hepatitis B (HB) has a long incubation period of 45 to 160 days (average: 120 days). The length of incubation period is related to the amount of virus in the inoculum, the mode of transmission and host factors.
The appearance of symptoms under acute HB is inversely related to age: less than 1% of newborns and 30%–50% adults develop symptoms. Those who do get symptoms, which are similar for all types of viral hepatitis, usually suffer from tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. In less then 1 % of cases, especially in the elderly, fulminating HB develops, which is mostly fatal due to acute hepatic necrosis.
The acute HB often resolves spontaneously after a 4-8 week illness. Otherwise, the infection can last for six months or more. This condition is known as chronic HB.
More than 90 % of infected infants, 25–50 % of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6–10 % of acutely infected older children and adults develop chronic infection. As a result, more than 350 million people in the world today are estimated to be persistently infected with HBV.
In a considerable number of patients, chronic HB may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis affects around one in five people with chronic hepatitis B. Of all causes of cirrhosis, approximately one third can be attributed to chronic HBV infection.
Transmission occurs by percutaneous and permucosal (through broken skin) exposure to such infective body fluids as blood, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and semen. The main ways of transmission include: vertical - from an infected mother during delivery (rate of transmission around 50%); sexual; horizontal - household contact with an infected person (for example, contact of infected blood with cutaneous scratches), sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment by injection drug users, or unhygienic injection procedures in health-care institutions. -
The Vitrotest® HBsAg-Confirmation reagent kit is intended to confirm the presence of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in human serum or plasma. The kit is used together with the test kit Vitrotest® HBsAg.
Confirmation of the presence of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is based on the solid-phase "sandwich" ELISA using the reagent kit Vitrotest® HBsAg-Confirmation and the test kit Vitrotest® HBsAg .
○ TK017 - 100 testsСomposition of the set:
sample diluent neutralizing component (monoclonal antibodies specific for HBsAg)Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The aetiology of ‘‘serum hepatitis’’, as it was known for many years, was not identified, until the discovery of the so-called Au antigen by Blumberg et al. in 1965 [Blumberg et al., 1965] led to the identification of viral particles by Dane et al. several years later [Dane et al., 1970].
Hepatitis B (HB) has a long incubation period of 45 to 160 days (average: 120 days). The length of incubation period is related to the amount of virus in the inoculum, the mode of transmission and host factors.
The appearance of symptoms under acute HB is inversely related to age: less than 1% of newborns and 30%–50% adults develop symptoms. Those who do get symptoms, which are similar for all types of viral hepatitis, usually suffer from tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. In less then 1 % of cases, especially in the elderly, fulminating HB develops, which is mostly fatal due to acute hepatic necrosis.
The acute HB often resolves spontaneously after a 4-8 week illness. Otherwise, the infection can last for six months or more. This condition is known as chronic HB.
More than 90 % of infected infants, 25–50 % of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6–10 % of acutely infected older children and adults develop chronic infection. As a result, more than 350 million people in the world today are estimated to be persistently infected with HBV.
In a considerable number of patients, chronic HB may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis affects around one in five people with chronic hepatitis B. Of all causes of cirrhosis, approximately one third can be attributed to chronic HBV infection.
Transmission occurs by percutaneous and permucosal (through broken skin) exposure to such infective body fluids as blood, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and semen. The main ways of transmission include: vertical - from an infected mother during delivery (rate of transmission around 50%); sexual; horizontal - household contact with an infected person (for example, contact of infected blood with cutaneous scratches), sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment by injection drug users, or unhygienic injection procedures in health-care institutions. -
The test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HBcore is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to core antigen of Hepatitis B Virus (HBcore antigen) in human serum or
plasma.
Detection of antibodies to HBcore antigen in the test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HBcore is based on a solid phase, indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ TK018 - 96 tests
○ TK141 - 192 tests- Solid phase: microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant HBcore antigen.
- Conjugate: a mixture of monoclonal antibodies to human IgG and IgM conjugated with horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 20 μl.
- Assay time: 1.5 hours.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The aetiology of ‘‘serum hepatitis’’, as it was known for many years, was not identified, until the discovery of the so-called Au antigen by Blumberg et al. in 1965 [Blumberg et al., 1965] led to the identification of viral particles by Dane et al. several years later [Dane et al., 1970].
Hepatitis B (HB) has a long incubation period of 45 to 160 days (average: 120 days). The length of incubation period is related to the amount of virus in the inoculum, the mode of transmission and host factors.
The appearance of symptoms under acute HB is inversely related to age: less than 1% of newborns and 30%–50% adults develop symptoms. Those who do get symptoms, which are similar for all types of viral hepatitis, usually suffer from tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. In less then 1 % of cases, especially in the elderly, fulminating HB develops, which is mostly fatal due to acute hepatic necrosis.
The acute HB often resolves spontaneously after a 4-8 week illness. Otherwise, the infection can last for six months or more. This condition is known as chronic HB.
More than 90 % of infected infants, 25–50 % of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6–10 % of acutely infected older children and adults develop chronic infection. As a result, more than 350 million people in the world today are estimated to be persistently infected with HBV.
In a considerable number of patients, chronic HB may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis affects around one in five people with chronic hepatitis B. Of all causes of cirrhosis, approximately one third can be attributed to chronic HBV infection.
Transmission occurs by percutaneous and permucosal (through broken skin) exposure to such infective body fluids as blood, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and semen. The main ways of transmission include: vertical - from an infected mother during delivery (rate of transmission around 50%); sexual; horizontal - household contact with an infected person (for example, contact of infected blood with cutaneous scratches), sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment by injection drug users, or unhygienic injection procedures in health-care institutions. -
The test kit Vitrotest® HBcore-IgG is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG class antibodies to core antigen of Hepatitis B Virus (HBcore antigen) in human serum or plasma.
Detection of IgG class antibodies to HBcore antigen in the test kit Vitrotest® HBcore-IgG is based on a solid phase, indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ TK050 - 96 tests
○ TK142 - 192 tests- Solid phase: microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant HBcore antigen.
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to human IgG conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 20 μl.
- Assay time: 1.5 hours.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The aetiology of ‘‘serum hepatitis’’, as it was known for many years, was not identified, until the discovery of the so-called Au antigen by Blumberg et al. in 1965 [Blumberg et al., 1965] led to the identification of viral particles by Dane et al. several years later [Dane et al., 1970].
Hepatitis B (HB) has a long incubation period of 45 to 160 days (average: 120 days). The length of incubation period is related to the amount of virus in the inoculum, the mode of transmission and host factors.
The appearance of symptoms under acute HB is inversely related to age: less than 1% of newborns and 30%–50% adults develop symptoms. Those who do get symptoms, which are similar for all types of viral hepatitis, usually suffer from tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. In less then 1 % of cases, especially in the elderly, fulminating HB develops, which is mostly fatal due to acute hepatic necrosis.
The acute HB often resolves spontaneously after a 4-8 week illness. Otherwise, the infection can last for six months or more. This condition is known as chronic HB.
More than 90 % of infected infants, 25–50 % of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6–10 % of acutely infected older children and adults develop chronic infection. As a result, more than 350 million people in the world today are estimated to be persistently infected with HBV.
In a considerable number of patients, chronic HB may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis affects around one in five people with chronic hepatitis B. Of all causes of cirrhosis, approximately one third can be attributed to chronic HBV infection.
Transmission occurs by percutaneous and permucosal (through broken skin) exposure to such infective body fluids as blood, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and semen. The main ways of transmission include: vertical - from an infected mother during delivery (rate of transmission around 50%); sexual; horizontal - household contact with an infected person (for example, contact of infected blood with cutaneous scratches), sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment by injection drug users, or unhygienic injection procedures in health-care institutions. -
The test kit Vitrotest® HBcore-IgM is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgM class antibodies to the core antigen of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBcore) in human serum or plasma.
Detection of IgM class antibodies to the core antigen of the Hepatitis B Virus in the test kit Vitrotest® HBcore-IgM is based on the principle of "IgM-capture" of solid-phase ELISA in two-stage incubation.
○ TK019 - 96 tests
○ TK143 - 192 tests- Solid phase: microplate ELISA is coated with monoclonal antibodies specific for human immunoglobulin M.
- Conjugate: HBcore recombinant antigen conjugated with horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 10 μl.
- Assay time: 1.5 hours.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The aetiology of ‘‘serum hepatitis’’, as it was known for many years, was not identified, until the discovery of the so-called Au antigen by Blumberg et al. in 1965 [Blumberg et al., 1965] led to the identification of viral particles by Dane et al. several years later [Dane et al., 1970].
Hepatitis B (HB) has a long incubation period of 45 to 160 days (average: 120 days). The length of incubation period is related to the amount of virus in the inoculum, the mode of transmission and host factors.
The appearance of symptoms under acute HB is inversely related to age: less than 1% of newborns and 30%–50% adults develop symptoms. Those who do get symptoms, which are similar for all types of viral hepatitis, usually suffer from tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice. In less then 1 % of cases, especially in the elderly, fulminating HB develops, which is mostly fatal due to acute hepatic necrosis.
The acute HB often resolves spontaneously after a 4-8 week illness. Otherwise, the infection can last for six months or more. This condition is known as chronic HB.
More than 90 % of infected infants, 25–50 % of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6–10 % of acutely infected older children and adults develop chronic infection. As a result, more than 350 million people in the world today are estimated to be persistently infected with HBV.
In a considerable number of patients, chronic HB may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis affects around one in five people with chronic hepatitis B. Of all causes of cirrhosis, approximately one third can be attributed to chronic HBV infection.
Transmission occurs by percutaneous and permucosal (through broken skin) exposure to such infective body fluids as blood, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and semen. The main ways of transmission include: vertical - from an infected mother during delivery (rate of transmission around 50%); sexual; horizontal - household contact with an infected person (for example, contact of infected blood with cutaneous scratches), sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment by injection drug users, or unhygienic injection procedures in health-care institutions. -
The test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HCV is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of total antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in human serum or plasma.
Determination of antibodies to HCV in the test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HCV is based on a solid phase indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ TK022 - 96 tests
○ TK060 - 192 tests
○ TK128 - 480 tests- Solid phase: breakable microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant antigens (core, NS3, NS4 and NS5).
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to human IgG and IgM conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 40 μl.
- Assay time: 2 hours.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C, and each year more than 350 thousand people die of hepatitis C-related liver disease. The disease may be either acute or chronic, and it often occurs without symptoms. However, chronic infection leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development.
The causative agent of the disease is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a small enveloped single-stranded RNA virus (50 nm in diameter), belong to the Flaviviridae family. HCV genome has sequences encoding structural and nonstructural proteins. The structural antigens are nucleocapsid protein (core) and two envelope proteins (E1 and E2). Nonstructural proteins are complex proteins with enzymatic activity (NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a and NS5b). In response to virus infection specific antibodies to all viral proteins are produced in human bodies.
Incubation period of hepatitis C is 14-180 (average 45) days. After this period, symptoms could arise. They include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice. Yet, most (70-80%) people infected with HCV are asymptomatic. Roughly 20% of infected patients clear the virus spontaneously; the rest develop chronic infection. HCV is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, which progresses into cirrhosis in 5-20% of cases over a period of 20-30 years.
HCV is spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact. Therefore, in developed countries virus infects primarily persons who have injected illicit drugs and recipients of blood transfusions before introduction of regular blood screening for HCV. In developing countries many HCV infections occur in the health-care institutions as a result of unhygienic injections and various surgical manipulations such as tattooing or circumcision. Of other routes of transmission, the most important are sexual and vertical, from mother to fetus. Sexual transmission is regarded as a minor risk factor. Virus transmission from HCV-infected mother to unborn child is possible, with rates of transmission of around several percent.
HCV is divided into six major genotypes that can be further divided into several subtypes from A to L. The amino acid sequences of the major HCV genotypes differ approximately 30% from each other. The genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found throughout the world whereas the distribution of the other genotypes is much more restricted. The immunity after cleared infection does not result in reliable protection against reinfections.
The overall worldwide prevalence of HCV is approximately 3%. The highest HCV prevalence figures (up to 10–20%) are found in Egypt. The prevalence of HCV infection varies remarkably and, for instance, in different European countries it ranges from 0,1% to 4%.
Adaptive immune responses are typically delayed during acute HCV infection. HCV RNA can be detected 1–3 weeks following infection, but neither HCV-specific T-cells nor HCV-specific antibodies are observed until 1–2 months after infection. The titre of IgG antibodies during the acute phase is relatively low in comparison with other virus infections in the majority of patients, gradually increasing during transformation to chronicity. In patients with resolved infection the titers of IgG after cure are low and often not detectable.
The IgM response in acute HCV infection also does not follow the classical pattern when IgM antibodies precede IgG response. Firstly, it was shown that HCV-specific IgM is more readily detected in chronically than in acutely infected patients (80% and 50% respectively); besides, the IgM titers under chronic infections are higher. Secondly, HCV-specific IgM and IgG are both almost simultaneously detected in acute infection. In individuals recovered from the infection no anti-HCV IgM antibodies are detectable.
A number of diagnostically relevant antigenic epitopes have been found within the C region, E2, NS3, NS4A/B and NS5 proteins, while E1, NS2 and NS5B are less immunogenic. In one study on chronic HCV patients, the following data on prevalence of antibodies were obtained: E2 - 98%, core-97%, NS3-88%, NS5A-68%, and NS4-48%. These data were similar to those observed by other investigators. Antibody titers were highest for core protein while titers for other proteins were considerably lower.
Antibody response against different HCV proteins is temporarily regulated. After infection, relatively early in the acute phase anticore antibodies are produced whereas significant levels of anti-E2 and anti-NS antibodies are detected only during the chronic phase. In recovering patients, anti-core antibodies persist longer than anti-NS antibodies, which often disappear. -
The test kit Vitrotest® HCV-IgG is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG class antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in human serum or plasma.
Determination of IgG class antibodies to HCV in the test kit Vitrotest® HCV-IgG is based on a solid phase indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ ТК055 - 96 tests
○ TK144 - 192 tests- Solid phase: breakable microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant antigens (core, NS3, NS4 and NS5).
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to human IgG conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 40 μl.
- Assay time: 2 hours.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C, and each year more than 350 thousand people die of hepatitis C-related liver disease. The disease may be either acute or chronic, and it often occurs without symptoms. However, chronic infection leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development.
The causative agent of the disease is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a small enveloped single-stranded RNA virus (50 nm in diameter), belong to the Flaviviridae family. HCV genome has sequences encoding structural and nonstructural proteins. The structural antigens are nucleocapsid protein (core) and two envelope proteins (E1 and E2). Nonstructural proteins are complex proteins with enzymatic activity (NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a and NS5b). In response to virus infection specific antibodies to all viral proteins are produced in human bodies.
Incubation period of hepatitis C is 14-180 (average 45) days. After this period, symptoms could arise. They include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice. Yet, most (70-80%) people infected with HCV are asymptomatic. Roughly 20% of infected patients clear the virus spontaneously; the rest develop chronic infection. HCV is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, which progresses into cirrhosis in 5-20% of cases over a period of 20-30 years.
HCV is spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact. Therefore, in developed countries virus infects primarily persons who have injected illicit drugs and recipients of blood transfusions before introduction of regular blood screening for HCV. In developing countries many HCV infections occur in the health-care institutions as a result of unhygienic injections and various surgical manipulations such as tattooing or circumcision. Of other routes of transmission, the most important are sexual and vertical, from mother to fetus. Sexual transmission is regarded as a minor risk factor. Virus transmission from HCV-infected mother to unborn child is possible, with rates of transmission of around several percent.
HCV is divided into six major genotypes that can be further divided into several subtypes from A to L. The amino acid sequences of the major HCV genotypes differ approximately 30% from each other. The genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found throughout the world whereas the distribution of the other genotypes is much more restricted. The immunity after cleared infection does not result in reliable protection against reinfections.
The overall worldwide prevalence of HCV is approximately 3%. The highest HCV prevalence figures (up to 10–20%) are found in Egypt. The prevalence of HCV infection varies remarkably and, for instance, in different European countries it ranges from 0,1% to 4%.
Adaptive immune responses are typically delayed during acute HCV infection. HCV RNA can be detected 1–3 weeks following infection, but neither HCV-specific T-cells nor HCV-specific antibodies are observed until 1–2 months after infection. The titre of IgG antibodies during the acute phase is relatively low in comparison with other virus infections in the majority of patients, gradually increasing during transformation to chronicity. In patients with resolved infection the titers of IgG after cure are low and often not detectable.
The IgM response in acute HCV infection also does not follow the classical pattern when IgM antibodies precede IgG response. Firstly, it was shown that HCV-specific IgM is more readily detected in chronically than in acutely infected patients (80% and 50% respectively); besides, the IgM titers under chronic infections are higher. Secondly, HCV-specific IgM and IgG are both almost simultaneously detected in acute infection. In individuals recovered from the infection no anti-HCV IgM antibodies are detectable.
A number of diagnostically relevant antigenic epitopes have been found within the C region, E2, NS3, NS4A/B and NS5 proteins, while E1, NS2 and NS5B are less immunogenic. In one study on chronic HCV patients, the following data on prevalence of antibodies were obtained: E2 - 98%, core-97%, NS3-88%, NS5A-68%, and NS4-48%. These data were similar to those observed by other investigators. Antibody titers were highest for core protein while titers for other proteins were considerably lower.
Antibody response against different HCV proteins is temporarily regulated. After infection, relatively early in the acute phase anticore antibodies are produced whereas significant levels of anti-E2 and anti-NS antibodies are detected only during the chronic phase. In recovering patients, anti-core antibodies persist longer than anti-NS antibodies, which often disappear. -
The test kit Vitrotest® HCV-IgМ is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgМ class antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in human serum or plasma.
Determination of IgМ class antibodies to HCV in the test kit Vitrotest® HCV-IgМ is based on a solid phase indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ ТК043 - 96 tests
○ TK145 - 192 tests- Solid phase: breakable microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant antigens (core, NS3 and NS4).
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to human IgМ conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 40 μl.
- Assay time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C, and each year more than 350 thousand people die of hepatitis C-related liver disease. The disease may be either acute or chronic, and it often occurs without symptoms. However, chronic infection leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development.
The causative agent of the disease is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a small enveloped single-stranded RNA virus (50 nm in diameter), belong to the Flaviviridae family. HCV genome has sequences encoding structural and nonstructural proteins. The structural antigens are nucleocapsid protein (core) and two envelope proteins (E1 and E2). Nonstructural proteins are complex proteins with enzymatic activity (NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a and NS5b). In response to virus infection specific antibodies to all viral proteins are produced in human bodies.
Incubation period of hepatitis C is 14-180 (average 45) days. After this period, symptoms could arise. They include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice. Yet, most (70-80%) people infected with HCV are asymptomatic. Roughly 20% of infected patients clear the virus spontaneously; the rest develop chronic infection. HCV is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, which progresses into cirrhosis in 5-20% of cases over a period of 20-30 years.
HCV is spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact. Therefore, in developed countries virus infects primarily persons who have injected illicit drugs and recipients of blood transfusions before introduction of regular blood screening for HCV. In developing countries many HCV infections occur in the health-care institutions as a result of unhygienic injections and various surgical manipulations such as tattooing or circumcision. Of other routes of transmission, the most important are sexual and vertical, from mother to fetus. Sexual transmission is regarded as a minor risk factor. Virus transmission from HCV-infected mother to unborn child is possible, with rates of transmission of around several percent.
HCV is divided into six major genotypes that can be further divided into several subtypes from A to L. The amino acid sequences of the major HCV genotypes differ approximately 30% from each other. The genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found throughout the world whereas the distribution of the other genotypes is much more restricted. The immunity after cleared infection does not result in reliable protection against reinfections.
The overall worldwide prevalence of HCV is approximately 3%. The highest HCV prevalence figures (up to 10–20%) are found in Egypt. The prevalence of HCV infection varies remarkably and, for instance, in different European countries it ranges from 0,1% to 4%.
Adaptive immune responses are typically delayed during acute HCV infection. HCV RNA can be detected 1–3 weeks following infection, but neither HCV-specific T-cells nor HCV-specific antibodies are observed until 1–2 months after infection. The titre of IgG antibodies during the acute phase is relatively low in comparison with other virus infections in the majority of patients, gradually increasing during transformation to chronicity. In patients with resolved infection the titers of IgG after cure are low and often not detectable.
The IgM response in acute HCV infection also does not follow the classical pattern when IgM antibodies precede IgG response. Firstly, it was shown that HCV-specific IgM is more readily detected in chronically than in acutely infected patients (80% and 50% respectively); besides, the IgM titers under chronic infections are higher. Secondly, HCV-specific IgM and IgG are both almost simultaneously detected in acute infection. In individuals recovered from the infection no anti-HCV IgM antibodies are detectable.
A number of diagnostically relevant antigenic epitopes have been found within the C region, E2, NS3, NS4A/B and NS5 proteins, while E1, NS2 and NS5B are less immunogenic. In one study on chronic HCV patients, the following data on prevalence of antibodies were obtained: E2 - 98%, core-97%, NS3-88%, NS5A-68%, and NS4-48%. These data were similar to those observed by other investigators. Antibody titers were highest for core protein while titers for other proteins were considerably lower.
Antibody response against different HCV proteins is temporarily regulated. After infection, relatively early in the acute phase anticore antibodies are produced whereas significant levels of anti-E2 and anti-NS antibodies are detected only during the chronic phase. In recovering patients, anti-core antibodies persist longer than anti-NS antibodies, which often disappear.
-
The test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HCV Different is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the differential detection of antibodies to antigens of hepatitis C - core, NS3, NS4, NS5 in human serum or plasma.
The differential detection of antibodies to specific antigens of the hepatitis C virus in the test kit Vitrotest® Anti-HCV Different is based on a solid phase indirect ELISA in a two-step incubation procedure.
○ TK044 - 24 tests- Solid phase: breakable microplate ELISA is coated with recombinant HCV antigens in separate wells: core (strips 1, 5, and 9, marked in black), NS3 (strips 2, 6, and 10, marked in green), NS4 (strips 3, 7, and 11, marked in blue), and NS5 (strips 4, 8, and 12, marked in red).
- Conjugate: monoclonal antibodies to human IgG and IgM conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.
- Chromogen: ready to use TMB solution.
- Volume of sample for analysis: 40 μl.
- Assay time: 2 hours.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C, and each year more than 350 thousand people die of hepatitis C-related liver disease. The disease may be either acute or chronic, and it often occurs without symptoms. However, chronic infection leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development.
The causative agent of the disease is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a small enveloped single-stranded RNA virus (50 nm in diameter), belong to the Flaviviridae family. HCV genome has sequences encoding structural and nonstructural proteins. The structural antigens are nucleocapsid protein (core) and two envelope proteins (E1 and E2). Nonstructural proteins are complex proteins with enzymatic activity (NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a and NS5b). In response to virus infection specific antibodies to all viral proteins are produced in human bodies.
Incubation period of hepatitis C is 14-180 (average 45) days. After this period, symptoms could arise. They include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice. Yet, most (70-80%) people infected with HCV are asymptomatic. Roughly 20% of infected patients clear the virus spontaneously; the rest develop chronic infection. HCV is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, which progresses into cirrhosis in 5-20% of cases over a period of 20-30 years.
HCV is spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact. Therefore, in developed countries virus infects primarily persons who have injected illicit drugs and recipients of blood transfusions before introduction of regular blood screening for HCV. In developing countries many HCV infections occur in the health-care institutions as a result of unhygienic injections and various surgical manipulations such as tattooing or circumcision. Of other routes of transmission, the most important are sexual and vertical, from mother to fetus. Sexual transmission is regarded as a minor risk factor. Virus transmission from HCV-infected mother to unborn child is possible, with rates of transmission of around several percent.
HCV is divided into six major genotypes that can be further divided into several subtypes from A to L. The amino acid sequences of the major HCV genotypes differ approximately 30% from each other. The genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found throughout the world whereas the distribution of the other genotypes is much more restricted. The immunity after cleared infection does not result in reliable protection against reinfections.
The overall worldwide prevalence of HCV is approximately 3%. The highest HCV prevalence figures (up to 10–20%) are found in Egypt. The prevalence of HCV infection varies remarkably and, for instance, in different European countries it ranges from 0,1% to 4%.
Adaptive immune responses are typically delayed during acute HCV infection. HCV RNA can be detected 1–3 weeks following infection, but neither HCV-specific T-cells nor HCV-specific antibodies are observed until 1–2 months after infection. The titre of IgG antibodies during the acute phase is relatively low in comparison with other virus infections in the majority of patients, gradually increasing during transformation to chronicity. In patients with resolved infection the titers of IgG after cure are low and often not detectable.
The IgM response in acute HCV infection also does not follow the classical pattern when IgM antibodies precede IgG response. Firstly, it was shown that HCV-specific IgM is more readily detected in chronically than in acutely infected patients (80% and 50% respectively); besides, the IgM titers under chronic infections are higher. Secondly, HCV-specific IgM and IgG are both almost simultaneously detected in acute infection. In individuals recovered from the infection no anti-HCV IgM antibodies are detectable.
A number of diagnostically relevant antigenic epitopes have been found within the C region, E2, NS3, NS4A/B and NS5 proteins, while E1, NS2 and NS5B are less immunogenic. In one study on chronic HCV patients, the following data on prevalence of antibodies were obtained: E2 - 98%, core-97%, NS3-88%, NS5A-68%, and NS4-48%. These data were similar to those observed by other investigators. Antibody titers were highest for core protein while titers for other proteins were considerably lower.
Antibody response against different HCV proteins is temporarily regulated. After infection, relatively early in the acute phase anticore antibodies are produced whereas significant levels of anti-E2 and anti-NS antibodies are detected only during the chronic phase. In recovering patients, anti-core antibodies persist longer than anti-NS antibodies, which often disappear.
sample diluent
