quantitative pcr bloodtest

Advantages are: This test can be used to monitor therapy in patients with chronic disease; test can be used as supplemental test in patient suspected of having chronic disease with a positive antibody screening test, it also can be used for diagnosis of acute infection and in immunodeficient patients suspected of having disease with a negative antibody screen test.

Disadvantages of this test: HCV RNA can be transiently negative in persons with acute infection and they can still go on to develop chronic infection; HCV RNA can be intermittently positive in patients with chronic infection; Use as supplemental test is valid only when the test is positive, that is, patient has detectable viral load; Special handling of serum sample collected for testing is necessary for accurate results; if specimen is not collected or transported properly, false-negative results may be reported; False-positive results can occur through contamination.