Updating the Signal-to-cutoff Level to Reduce Anti-hepatitis C Virus False Positivity

Background: Anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) is the only screening test being used in diagnosis of hepatitis C. In this study, we examined anti-HCV positivity rates our hospital. Objectives: The aim administering was to distinguish patients with infection from false reactive results. Methods: tests were performed at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital Istanbul, Turkey, between January 1, 2015 December 31, 2019. evaluated retrospectively terms age, gender, titer, clinic for which examination requested, reason examination, history Results: 511 who had two negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results as positive cases enrolled. cut-off value found be 7.5 IU/ml, highest sensitivity 94.4% specificity 94.5% (area under curve [AUC]: 0.982). lowest titer (5.2) without acute hepatitis, HCV-RNA diagnosed chronic Conclusions: It may more appropriate report 0 - 5 negative, borderline, > positive. Working a acceptable level greater number can help identify asymptomatic HCV infection. Also, it possibly reduce cost due decrease PCR administered.