HCV viral load testing may help distinguish individuals with acute versus chronic infection, according to a report in the October 1, 2009 Clinical Infectious Diseases. Standard HCV antibody tests do not differentiate between acute and chronic infection. B. McGovern and colleagues conducted a study to determine whether virological parameters could provide more precise information about duration of infection.

Low-level HCV viremia (< 100,000 IU/mL) and large viral load fluctuations (> 1 log) were both found to be very common among a cohort of known acute seroconverters, or people who only recently developed antibodies against HCV (81% and 86%, respectively); in contrast, just 13% of patients with chronic infection had such low virus levels.

Next, looking at a group of injection drug users with suspected acute infection, 77% had low-level viremia and 36% experienced viral load fluctuations. "The diagnosis of acute infection in HCV-seropositive patients is strengthened by the use of virologic parameters that are uncommon in chronic disease," the researchers concluded.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev ... .11.html#1

Thanks to the HCV Advocate for this information.

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