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Author Topic: Hep C antibody strongly reactive  (Read 13242 times)

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Offline Vflowers

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« on: December 24, 2014, 05:30:51 pm »
Non-detect after 12 weeks treatment S/O. 12 week post treatment got the result of a strongly reactive hepC antibody. Is this a relapse?

Offline BattleTheBeast

  • Member
  • Posts: 817
  • Female, 57 - SVR12 as of 7/23/15!!
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2014, 05:53:04 pm »
Hi Vflowers,

You may want to read this:

http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/80190

Specifically this part:

Current screening serologic tests to detect HCV antibodies include EIA and chemiluminescence immunoassay. Despite the value of serologic tests to screen for HCV infection, several limitations of serologic testing exist:
-There may be a long delay (up to 6 months) between exposure to the virus and the development of detectable HCV antibodies.
-False-reactive screening test results can occur.
-A reactive screening test result does not distinguish between past (resolved) and chronic HCV infection.
-Serologic tests cannot provide information on clinical response to anti-HCV therapy.


I would want additionally testing if I was you to be sure!

Mel
~Mel~
Hep C, Type 1, 10/11  viral load 8,238,340, AST-60, ALT-57 Bili .6  Stage 4 cirrhosis,
Week 4 VL <15 AST 20 - ALT 27 Bili .9
Week 9 - switched to Harvoni VL UD!! AST 20 ALT 19

EOT date is 4/30/2015,
SVR 12 is 7/23/15 ACHIEVED!!! 
and SVR 24 ACHIEVED!!

Offline Vflowers

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2014, 05:59:07 pm »
I was surprised they ran that test just for that reason & not the SVR. Btw I am doing this for a friend but have been watching the board for a long time to help him. What a great resource. Mel, you are truly an inspiration.

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2014, 06:04:11 pm »
Hi

The hepatitis c antibody test means you were once exposed to hepatitis c it has no meaning at to your current infected status. Only the HCV DNA test for the virus has meaning.

If you were ever exposed to the hepatitis c virus you will have antibodies to the virus for the rest of your life. Antibodies are produced by the bodies own immune system in its attempt to combat the virus.

If for example you once had or were vaccinated against the measles you will test positive for measles antibodies but not the measles virus.

If you want to check to be sure you are still virus free you need to have the HCV DNA test not the antibody test.

Good luck
Lynn
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline BattleTheBeast

  • Member
  • Posts: 817
  • Female, 57 - SVR12 as of 7/23/15!!
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2014, 06:10:42 pm »
Thanks VF, I am still learning so much about this beast. Lynn and Mike and many others have so much more knowledge than I do but I am learning. I get my inspiration from all of them. They have been through the ringer with Interferon more than once I am in awe of their strength and fortitude.

Happy Holidays,

Mel
~Mel~
Hep C, Type 1, 10/11  viral load 8,238,340, AST-60, ALT-57 Bili .6  Stage 4 cirrhosis,
Week 4 VL <15 AST 20 - ALT 27 Bili .9
Week 9 - switched to Harvoni VL UD!! AST 20 ALT 19

EOT date is 4/30/2015,
SVR 12 is 7/23/15 ACHIEVED!!! 
and SVR 24 ACHIEVED!!

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2014, 06:18:33 pm »
Ps SVR means sustained viral response and HCV DNA is looking for hepatitis c virus DNA

Equally surprised they would waste time with antibody test

Good luck to you and your friend
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2014, 10:27:10 am »
Hi Vflowers,

I think the lab ran the wrong test or the doctor wrote the order incorrectly.

Specifically, once a person has been exposed to the HCV virus, he or she will always test positive for the antibodies.

Therefore, there was absolutely no need for an HCV antibody test in a person with a known infection, which is why I think it was an error.

Best wishes, Mike
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline Vflowers

  • Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2014, 09:19:49 pm »
New lab results. ND@ 12 weeks. The strongly reactive was just as others said! Happy dance!

Offline Mugwump

  • Member
  • Posts: 778
  • My number of posts means nothing, piscor ergo sum!
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2015, 03:48:46 pm »
New lab results. ND@ 12 weeks. The strongly reactive was just as others said! Happy dance!
Having an over active immune system is not necessarily a bad thing. But one of the biggest problems with long term HCV leading to chronic infection is the tendency for the person over the years to develop non specific immune reactions. 

For many, as well as myself, I am certain a hyperactive immune system is a two edged sword in some ways.

I hope to join the list of the ND in a few months and finally be able to live free from the myriad of fears of making mistakes and confusion that plague many with this cruel affliction.

Happy New Year to all here and my sincere regards.


Cheers
Eric
Caution shameless self promotion below :-)
https://www.hepmag.com/article/eric-reesor-27742-782589663
DING DONG MY DRAGON (HCV) IS FINALLY DEAD!

Offline Tess1971

  • Member
  • Posts: 198
  • G2b, 12wk Sov/Riba, End 11/15/14 UD, SVR-5,14 & 32-UD
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2015, 04:32:33 pm »
Here!  Here!  Eric………...

Offline Islandgirl

  • Member
  • Posts: 295
  • Started Harvoni 12/3/14 - EOT 2/25/15
Re: Hep C antibody strongly reactive
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2015, 09:40:19 am »
Congrats on such good news, and a huge thanks for all the great info from everyone on correct testing!  I'll be paying close attention to tests ordered to be sure I'm getting what is really needed.  I love these forums and am so grateful to everyone for sharing!  ....Islandgirl
1b, treatment naive, positive for Hep C since 1994; thought to be transmitted via blood transfusions in 1976
Started Harvoni 12/3/14, EOT 2/25/15
12/31/14 labs - Virus Undetected, ALT/18, AST/34
3/25/15 labs - 1 mo post 12 wk Harvoni TX Virus Undetected!!  :) ....Islandgirl

 


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