OBJECTIVETo detect humoral immune response against different function regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic patients, and further to investigate the correlativity between anti-HCV antibody titers and HCV RNA concentration.

METHODSUsing recombinant dominate epitope antigens, e.g. HCV Core, NS3, NS4, NS5 and chimeric HVR1, a set of ELISA test reagents was formulated. Then, titers of antibodies against HCV different regions and the RNA concentration of HCV in chronic patient sera were detected by ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR technique, respectively.

RESULTSGreat differences have been noted in antibody titers and positive rate of different HCV function regions in chronic patients. Antibodies against HCV Core and HVR1 have the highest positive rate, then NS3, NS4, and NS5 in sequence.

CONCLUSIONThe titer of antibodies against different regions of HCV in chronic patients has good correlation with HCV RNA concentration.