Are anti-HCV tests conclusive for everyone?

[confused49]

Hi, I have recently read on a Polish website that up to 7% of immunocompetent infected people do not have anti-HCV antibodies, if that was true then testing for antibodies would be useless for as many as 7% of people. I have not seen such information on any other site (including CDC) and I am worried as I tested negative for HCV antibodies at 13 weeks post exposure and now I do not know what to think. I was inclined to repeat the test at 6 months after exposure as CDC suggests but now I am clueless. Has anyone heard something like this? Is a PCR test the only way to rule out the infection? Please help.

[lporterrn]

I have not heard that, and have no reason to believe this, esp with that high of %. I do know that some people who have spontaneously-cleared HCV may lose HCV-antibodies after many decades, but these are just small #s. Please send the link and I will look at the source data. PCR or TMA would rule out infection. I would go with your inclinations and retest. I also would not worry about it.

[confused49]

Thanks so much for the reply. As for the source I am affraid it will not do you any good as the link listed on that website opens some sort of medical e-book store and there is no telling which book it refers to. I guess I should assume that this information is inaccurate. By saying  you would not worry about it you mean I have a good chance of retesting negative again after 6 months? Thanks again for the reply, best regards.

[lporterrn]

Yes, you have a good chance -ideally it is best to wait a full 6 mos before being sure, but after 8 weeks post-exposure, it is unlikely you will have antibodies. 

[spider123]

Spider123 Here....
(Patrick)
           I, treated,  2008 thru  2009,  with Peg-Interfuron and Pegusis (Ribavirin)
for Leval  (2) two fibrosis, Fatty Liver.  I, had all the Side-Effects, Chronic Fatigue, Leukopenia Anemia, (Low) white Cell Count, Aches and Pains in Muscles and Joints,
Loss of Oxygen while walking up Hills, Could not sleep in a regular Bed, had to sleep in a recliner because of Being Nautious, had to take all the Helper Meds, Neupogen-1, ..Procrirt, Etc  I, suffered this all thru my Treatment and still suffer 24/7,  today !  I, was turned down for Disability Twice !
I, went to Two (2) Cancer, Doctors who tested me for everything you can Think of and they Blame the Nasty Meds I, took,  Peg-Interfuron, attacks the Brain Stem Cells,
this,.  is why they are Looking for New Drug,  and This is why the Doctors tend to Stop Short,... of telling you, that you are "Cured"  ...As not to Create a False...Hope !!!!!     I, am Not a Doctor, by No-Means, but, I can tell you from my Experience...That there, Is not much Else Out there, for Choices !!!!   Would I,  choose to Treat Again ?   Probably.....Because it is Better than....Dying with Liver Cancer !!!!   Now....I can tell you that I, am having Problems with my Digestive System, and I, have decide to Educate myself on a "Holistic Approach"  on Feeding my Liver, and Eating what is Good for my Liver,  to Help make it more Healthy !!!
Please...do not let this,  Discourage you...In your Decisions !!!  Discuss things with your Hep-C Team of Doctors and try to Educate yourself, First !!!       

Keep On Keeping On,

In Good Health,

spider123
(Patrick)   IN,.... Danielson, Connecticut 06239

[lporterrn]

This is for "Confused 49" - Found the info you were referring to:  In addition, HCV antibodies may be undetectable in persons with chronic HCV; in particular, advanced immunosuppression owing to HIV infection at CD4 counts of <200 cells/µL is associated with chronic HCV antibody-negative disease.(12) Therefore, HCV RNA screening is a useful diagnostic tool for persons in whom acute HCV infection is suspected and for HIV-infected individuals with either advanced immunosuppression or a high degree of suspicion for HCV infection despite a negative HCV antibody test result. All individuals with HCV antibody positivity should have a confirmatory HCV RNA assay to determine whether HCV has cleared spontaneously or whether hepatitis C viremia persists. Source:http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-05-03-05#S3X
So, if you have HIV, esp with a low CDC count, a viral load is recommended.