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Should I Go For RIBA Test For Hep C Inspite Of Having Hepatitis C Antibodies?
Question: If your hep C antibodies are positive, but the virus is absent, should a RIBA test be done to see if if the antibody test was a false positive?
Brief Answer:
Yes, RIBA test is done to confirm Hep C antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Greetings
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Hi,
Hepatitis C Infection diagnosis typically begins with blood testing to detect the presence of "Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus". The antibodies are detected by using serological test known as "Enzyme Immunoassay".
If the antibodies are positive, a confirmatory test know as "Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA)" is performed to verify the immunoassay results. Also the Hep C viral load is determined by "HCV RNA Polymerase test".
If there are no RNA (virus absent) but the immunoblot assay is positive (antibodies present), it means that the person tested had a previous infection which has been treated or the infection has been spontaneously regressed.
I hope this clarifies and answers your query regarding Hep C viral infection and diagnosis.
Do write to me in case you have any further questions.
Take care. Wish you great health.
Best regards,
Dr. T. Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD
Yes, RIBA test is done to confirm Hep C antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Greetings
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Hi,
Hepatitis C Infection diagnosis typically begins with blood testing to detect the presence of "Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus". The antibodies are detected by using serological test known as "Enzyme Immunoassay".
If the antibodies are positive, a confirmatory test know as "Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA)" is performed to verify the immunoassay results. Also the Hep C viral load is determined by "HCV RNA Polymerase test".
If there are no RNA (virus absent) but the immunoblot assay is positive (antibodies present), it means that the person tested had a previous infection which has been treated or the infection has been spontaneously regressed.
I hope this clarifies and answers your query regarding Hep C viral infection and diagnosis.
Do write to me in case you have any further questions.
Take care. Wish you great health.
Best regards,
Dr. T. Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The enzyme immunoassay is positive but would this be a false positive if the RIBA and RNA are negative. Is this possible and have u ever heard of this happening?
Brief Answer:
Could be false positive reaction
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes. If both RIBA as well as Hep C RNA polymerase are negative it is unlikely that the antibodies are present. This would be just a false positive reaction. Absence of virus and any antibodies towards it, virtually rules out infection. Though i haven'the had this kind of experience in my practice, false positive tests or reports are reported.
Hope clarified things to you. Do get back to meet if required any time.
Take care
Best regards,
Dr. T. Shobha
Could be false positive reaction
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes. If both RIBA as well as Hep C RNA polymerase are negative it is unlikely that the antibodies are present. This would be just a false positive reaction. Absence of virus and any antibodies towards it, virtually rules out infection. Though i haven'the had this kind of experience in my practice, false positive tests or reports are reported.
Hope clarified things to you. Do get back to meet if required any time.
Take care
Best regards,
Dr. T. Shobha
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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