The PCR analysis for a virus that can be called HCV PCR has different types, each of which is used for a specific purpose. What are the types of HCV PCR? What is the purpose of each of them?
Hepatitis C
When you become infected with hepatitis C, the vast majority of patients develop a chronic infection that causes hepatitis C (hepatitis C multiplication and multiplication in the body, and a positive C virus test result appears), 25% of those infected recover naturally, without HCV remaining in the blood, Which can be detected by blood tests.
Chronic infection with hepatitis C, which is called hepatitis C, varies from person to person. The virus may multiply a lot, meaning it is highly active. If people with active and chronic hepatitis C infection do not undergo treatment, they may develop cirrhosis, or possibly liver cancer.
There are several treatment protocols for hepatitis C. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you, and the doses of medication needed. Hepatitis C can be cured, but you may re-infection with a new infection.
Methods of transmission of hepatitis C virus
Transfusion of the blood of an infected person to an uninfected person.
Using personal tools contaminated with infected blood, such as a razor, etc.
Using contaminated medical tools such as needles and others.
Sexual contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C infection
You may have some, all, or none of the symptoms that we'll mention later, and they are:
Yellowing of the eyes, possibly the skin.
Dark-colored urine.
Bleeding easily, especially if you get a small cut.
bleeding in the gums;
The appearance of traces of bruises on the body easily.
Fatigue and poor appetite.
itchy skin;
Fluid accumulation in the body, which appears in the form of tumors and swellings under the eyes and in the feet.
Ascites, meaning the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
PCR . analysis
A PCR test is a type of laboratory test that can be used to detect viruses, bacteria, and various diseases, including the detection of hepatitis C.
Importance of HCV PCR
It is used to diagnose hepatitis C infection.
To know the amount of hepatitis C present in the blood.
To determine the type of hepatitis C virus that has infected you.
Monitor hepatitis C progression and response to treatment.
Types of PCR analysis for C . virus
There are three types of PCR analysis for C virus, and each one is used for a specific purpose:
HCV-RNA Qualitative Analysis
It can be used to detect whether or not you have hepatitis C, this type of PCR test shows that you have hepatitis C early even before you show C antibodies (less than two months after you have been infected), it can be done after you have been stung with a contaminated needle from another patient, or you have given birth A child of a mother infected with hepatitis C.
HCV-RNA Quantitative Analysis
This type of HCV PCR test shows precisely the amount and number of viruses present in the blood, and is often done before treatment begins and during treatment as a function of drug efficacy and response.
HCV-Genotype Analysis
In this type of PCR tests for the C virus, it shows the strain of C virus that infected you. It should be known that the C virus has several strains, up to six strains so far. Sometimes the doctor may order this test to find out the strain that caused you hepatitis C, and thus determine Appropriate treatment.
The sample required for the examination
A blood sample for any of the types of PCR tests for hepatitis C.
Normal ratios for PCR analysis of C . virus
HCV-RNA Qualitative Analysis
The result of the HCV analysis here shows:
Positive: This means you have hepatitis C.
Negative: You are free of hepatitis C.
HCV-RNA Quantitative Analysis
The normal rates for the result of the PCR analysis vary from one laboratory to another according to the type of materials used in conducting the examination, and their sensitivity, and the normal rates for each examination are attached to the report issued by the laboratory, but here are the most natural rates for the C virus test:
UDL: No virus C in the patient's blood, and this is a good result.
<15 Hepatitis C is present, but too few to count, which is also a good result.
<100,000,000 This means that there is a lot of replication of hepatitis C in the body.
Some reports detail the percentages more than that, but what matters is that the result of the PCR test here is UDL, and this means the absence of the virus, more than that it means the presence of the virus in a certain amount according to the number that will appear.
PCR test result for hepatitis C is negative and antibody positive
A negative HCV-RNA Quantitative test and a positive Ab HCV antibody test may mean:
Ab HCV test result is wrong.
Infection with hepatitis C virus overcomes the body.
Viral replication accidental to active virus infection, and here it would be best to repeat the C-PCR analysis after a month or two.
HCV-Genotype Analysis
The result of this test shows the type of virus C strain you have, and it may be: genotype 1, genotype 2, genotype 3, genotype 4, genotype 5, genotype 6.
There are many hepatitis C tests, and it is important to know the appropriate test that you need to perform at the right time. PCR C has several types, and each type has a different use as well.