TruQuick™ HCV
TruQuick HCV is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antibody to Hepatitis C Virus in serum or plasma.
now known to be the major cause of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. Antibody to HCV is found in over 80% of patients with well-documented non-A, non-B hepatitis. Conventional methods fail to isolate the virus in cell culture or visualize it by electron microscope. Cloning the viral genome has made it possible to develop serologic assays that use recombinant antigens.1, 2 Compared to the first generation HCV EIAs using single recombinant antigen, multiple antigens using recombinant protein and/or synthetic peptides have been added in new serologic tests to avoid nonspecific cross-reactivity and to increase the sensitivity of the HCV antibody tests.3, 4 TruQuick HCV is a rapid test to qualitatively detect the presence of antibody to HCV in a serum or plasma specimen. The test utilizes colloid gold conjugate and recombinant HCV proteins to selectively detect antibody to HCV in serum or plasma. The recombinant HCV proteins used in the test kit are encoded by the genes for both structural (nucleocapsid) and non-structural proteins.
- Bring the pouch to room temperature before opening it. Remove the Test Cassette from the sealed pouch and use it as soon as possible. Best results will be obtained if the assay is performed within one hour.
- Place the cassette on a clean and level surface.
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 1 drop of serum or plasma (approximately 25 μL) to the specimen area, then add 2 drops of Buffer (approximately 80 μL),and start the timer. See illustration below.
- Wait for the colored line(s) to appear. The test result should be read at 10 minutes. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.
- Choo QL, Kuo G, Weiner AJ, Overby LR, Bradley DW, Houghton M.. Isolation of a cDNA clone derived from a blood-borne non-A, non-B viral hepatitis genome. Science. 1989;244:359.
- Kuo G, Choo QL, Alter HJ, Houghton M. An assay for circulating antibodies to a major etiologic virus of human non-A, non-B hepatitis. Science. 1989;44:362.
- van der Poel CL, Cuypers HTM, Reesink HW, Lelie PN. Confirmation of hepatitis C virus infection by new four-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay. Lancet. 1991;337:317.
- Wilber JC. Development and use of laboratory tests for hepatitis C infection: a review. J Clin Immunoassay. 1993;16:204.