The correlation of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen in different genotypes of HCV

BACKGROUND: To analyze the correlation of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen (HCV cAg) in different genotypes of HCV. METHODS: One hundred and six patients who were diagnosed with HCV infection by HCV RNA test were included in the study. HCV genotypes were detected by PCR fluorescent probe. Detected HCV cAg's expression in serum quantitatively and qualitatively with chemiluminescent micro‐particle immuno assay (CMIA) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, and compared positive rates. Analyzed the correlation of HCV RNA and HCV cAg in different genotypes. RESULTS: Distribution of HCV genotypes in 106 HCV infected patients were as follows: 1b genotype 46 (43.4%); 2a genotype 7 (6.6%); 3a genotype 18 (17.0%); 3b genotype 3 (2.8%); 6a genotype 9 (8.5%); 1b/3b mixed type 13 (12.3%); and unidentified type 10 (9.4%). Positive rates of HCV cAg detected by CMIA and ELISA were 100% and 56%, respectively, with statistical significance (χ (2) = 60.38, P = 0.000). HCV cAg in 1b genotype group was higher than that in 3b and 1b/3b genotype groups, with statistical significance (U = 3.0, P = 0.006, U = 165, P = 0.014). HCV RNA and HCV cAg in genotype 1b demonstrated a positive correlation (r = 0.894, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Major genetic subtype of HCV genotype was 1b. Compared with ELISA, detection of HCV cAg by CMIA increased the positive rate and facilitated early diagnosis and treatment of HCV‐infected patients. With the increase in HCV RNA load and the expression of HCV cAg, HCV cAg could be an early indicator for the diagnosis of HCV infection in 1b genotype.