Infection / Serology
Anti-HCV antibody
HCV exposure marker; reflex to HCV RNA to confirm active infection.
Sample
Serum
Biology
What it measures
IgG antibody to HCV core/non-structural proteins.
Clinical use
Why we order it
Universal screening of all adults at least once (USPSTF/CDC). Positive → HCV RNA.
Pitfalls
Pre-analytic & interpretation traps
- !Antibody persists after spontaneous clearance or cure — RNA distinguishes resolved from active.