Comparative evaluation of Immunochromatographic Assay for screening Hepatitis C among blood donors in a rural teaching hospital, Sangareddy

Background: HCV is a blood borne virus. Mainly HCV infection attacks the liver and can cause chronic Hepatitis, liver cirrhosis (27%) and liver cancer (25%) and shows significant mortality and morbidity. Aim: The present study was to assess ICT kit used in the preliminary screening process of HCV infection among blood donors in a rural teaching hospital, Sangareddy. Materials and methods: In this study, 1050 number of blood units were collected from donors containing both voluntary and replacement donors for a period of one year from January 2015 to December 2015. 1050 donors were tested for HCV by using ICT kit and ELISA method. Results: We found 4 out of 1050 subjects tested positive for HCV by using ICT kit and conformed by ELISA method. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the overall performance of the rapid ICT kit for HCV was equally sensitive to ELISA and yet they were cheap and quicker. It can be recommended that ELISA comparable rapid devices may be allowed to be used for preliminary screening of Hepatitis C especially, in remote areas or where cost is an issue.