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Chronic hepatitis C is defined as infection with the hepatitis C virus persisting for more than six months based on the presence of its RNA. [18] Chronic infections are typically asymptomatic during the first few decades, [ 18 ] and thus are most commonly discovered following the investigation of elevated liver enzyme levels or during a routine ...
Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth and spread through infected blood. [3] Hepatitis C is commonly spread through infected blood such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users. [3] Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with ...
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) [3] is a small (55–65 nm in size), enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae. The hepatitis C virus is the cause of hepatitis C and some cancers such as liver cancer ( hepatocellular carcinoma , abbreviated HCC) and lymphomas in humans.
The test results correspond to stages F0-F4 and grades A0-A3 of the METAVIR scoring system. [20] In 2007 FibroTest was validated by French Health Authorities as a first-line diagnosis of liver injury before biopsy. It was recommended to be a better predictor than biopsy staging for hepatitis C complications and death. [21]
In the past nucleic acid tests have mainly been used as a secondary test to confirm positive serological results. [3] However, as they become cheaper and more automated, they are increasingly becoming the primary tool for diagnostics and can also be use for monitoring of treatment of viral infected individuals t.
The categories of tests include: general laboratory tests and disease-specific tests such as for hepatitis B and C, HIV, HPV, malaria, syphilis and tuberculosis. [1] [8] The third edition added a "Do Not Do" recommendation, for tests deemed no longer useful. [2]
In acute viral hepatitis, the GGT levels can peak at 2nd and 3rd week of illness, and remained elevated at 6 weeks of illness. GGT is also elevated in 30% of the hepatitis C patients. GGT can increase by 10 times in alcoholism. GGT can increase by 2 to 3 times in 50% of the patients with non-alcoholic liver disease.
FibroTest has been evaluated in relation to liver biopsy (the current reference standard in liver disease assessment) in people with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, [1] alcoholic liver disease, [2] and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. [3] They are most useful for cirrhosis and less useful for other stages of liver disease. [4]