[Diagnostic possibilities of an immunoenzyme test-system for determining the spectrum of antibodies to structural and nonstructural hepatitis C virus antigens].

A new enzyme immunoassay EIA-HCV-Spectr test system constructed on the base of recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides allows separate detection of antibodies to E1/E2, core, HS3, NS4, and NS5 antigens of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The system is highly specific and more sensitive than the test systems used in screening studies, which allows its use as a final test for antiHCV antibodies. Antibodies to various HCV antigens were analyzed using this test system in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C and asymptomatic donors with antiHCV. In acute hepatitis C during the first-second week after clinical manifestation, antibodies to nonstructural virus proteins are detected 3-4 times less often than in chronic hepatitis C. Acute hepatitis C is characterized by the presence of antibodies only to core antigen (66%). In chronic condition combinations of antibodies to structural and nonstructural HCV antigens predominate: core + NS4, core + NS3 + NS4, core + NS3 + NS5, core + NS4 + NS5, and core + NS3 + NS4 + NS5. In asymptomatic donors with antiHCV and in patients with chronic hepatitis C the spectra of antibodies were similar in 45.7% cases.