ELISA is a widely used immunological technique for detecting antibodies or antigens.

In HCV testing, ELISA identifies anti‑HCV antibodies, which indicate exposure to the virus.

Clinical uses include:

Screening for Hepatitis C infection in blood donors and patients.

Diagnosing acute or chronic HCV infection.

Monitoring infectivity and disease progression.

Supporting evaluation before antiviral therapy.

A positive ELISA result requires confirmatory testing (HCV RNA PCR) to establish active infection.

Analyte: Anti‑HCV antibodies in serum/plasma.

Normal Result: Negative (no antibodies detected).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive HCV antibody: Indicates past or current HCV infection.

Persistent positivity: May suggest chronic infection, but confirmation with PCR is essential.

Clinical Use:

Provides a cost‑effective and sensitive screening tool for HCV infection.

Helps prevent transmission via blood transfusion.

Supports monitoring and management of Hepatitis C patients.