Clinical Significance

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is now known to be the causative agent for most, if not all, blood-borne non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). Studies throughout the world indicate that HCV is transmitted through contaminated blood and blood products, through blood transfusions or through other close, personal contacts. The presence of anti-HCV indicates that an individual may have been infected with HCV and may be capable of transmitting HCV infection.

Due to the high rate of asymptomatic infections, clinical diagnosis is difficult and diagnostic assays are of major importance. Infection with HCV can lead to acute and chronic hepatitis disease. Approximately 70-85 % of HCV infections progress to chronic disease, although this varies according to patient gender, age, race, and immune status. Chronic HCV infection may lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 

_{Source: Roche cobas Elecsys Anti-HCV II method sheet, V 2.0 2024-09}