Hepatitis viruses constitute a major public health problem because of the morbidity and mortality associated with the acute and chronic consequences of these infections. New immunization strategies have been developed to eliminate the spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the United States. Recommendations have also been developed for the prevention and control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Because of the high rate of asymptomatic infection with these viruses, information about the prevalence of these diseases is needed to monitor prevention efforts. By testing a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population, NHANES will provide the most reliable estimates of age-specific prevalence needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies to prevent these infections. In addition, NHANES provides the means to better define the epidemiology of other hepatitis viruses. NHANES testing for markers of infection with hepatitis viruses will be used to determine secular trends in infection rates across most age and racial/ethnic groups, and will provide a national picture of the epidemiologic determinants of these infections.
In 2013, CDC revised its guidelines for Hepatitis C (HCV) testing because of following: 1) changes in the availability of certain commercial HCV antibody tests; 2) evidence that many persons who are identified as reactive by an HCV antibody test might not subsequently be evaluated to determine if they have current HCV infection; and 3) there have been significant advances in the development of antiviral agents with improved efficacy against HCV.1 This new guidance was adopted beginning in the NHANES 2013-2014 cycle. Among persons aged 6 years and older who participated in NHANES during the 2013–2014 cycle, antibody confirmation testing was conducted using a 3rd generation commercial line immunoassay test for the subset of participants whose serum was found to be reactive using a hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screening procedure, subsequently found to be negative for HCV RNA, and had stored serum samples available.
For these reasons, use of 2013 and later data for comparisons or trending with data from 2012 and earlier is not advised.
The new Hepatitis C algorithm flow chart can be found in the laboratory method file and/or by following the MMWR link below:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm62e0507a2.pdf
Beginning in the 2017-2018 cycle, the HCV confirmatory antibody test (INNO-LIA) will be released in the HEPC dataset with HCV RNA and Genotype data.
Examined participants aged 6 years and older who participated in the NHANES 2013-2014 cycle were included in this data file.
Participants aged 6 years and older who were examined were eligible for inclusion for Hepatitis C RNA (HCV-RNA) and Antibody Screen testing (see: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/Nchs/Nhanes/2013-2014/HEPC_H.htm). Participants aged 6 years and older who were examined, had available surplus sera, and with specific laboratory findings based on the prior testing (HCV antibody screening reactive and HCV RNA negative) were eligible for inclusion for the Hepatitis C Confirmed Antibody (INNO-LIA) testing.
Hepatitis C Confirmed Antibody (INNO-LIA)
In 2012 and earlier years, the hepatitis C virus testing algorithm began with an antibody screening test, and antibody screening reactive samples were then tested with a recombinant/synthetic immunoblot assay as the antibody confirmation test. Samples with positive antibody confirmation results were then tested with a nucleic acid amplification test for hepatitis C virus RNA. HCV-RNA positive samples were then tested with a line probe assay to determine the virus genotype from six genotypes, and subtype for genotype 1, the most prevalent genotype in the US. Beginning in 2013, samples reactive to the antibody screening test were first tested for RNA. Then, all RNA positive samples were tested for genotype, and only RNA negative samples were tested with an antibody confirmation test. This change in the testing algorithm was made to align the NHANES HCV testing algorithm with a 2013 update to CDC’s guidance on testing for HCV infection by clinicians and laboratorians. Additionally, the antibody confirmation test changed to a 3rd generation line immunoassay in 2013 because the test used in 2012 and earlier was no longer commercially available and the stored supply of these test kits had been exhausted.
For the antibody confirmation test, the manual 16-hour sample incubation test procedure is used. 10ul of specimens and controls are diluted in 1mL diluent in test troughs to ensure test strips will slide easily and remain submerged during incubation. Specimens and controls are incubated with agitation by rocker at 34 rpm overnight (16±2 hours) at room temperature (18–25°). After a 3X/5min each wash step on microtiter plate shaker, conjugate is added with a 30-minute incubation at room temperature, followed by aspiration, 3X/5min each wash step and 30-minute incubation in substrate solution also on microtiter plate shaker. Finally, strips are agitated with stop solution for 10–30 minutes at room temperature. The microtiter plate shaker is set for 160 rpm and used for all the washes and solution incubations. Strips are then dried completely in a dry incubator at 37°C for 30 minutes then mounted on the line immunoassay score data reporting sheet with inverted tape for reading within one hour using the reading card. The strips have lines for a background control, three reference lines for antibody (level ±, human IgG, weak positive; level 1+ human IgG, moderate positive; and level 3+, anti-human Ig, strong positive), and six lines for HCV antigens (C1, C2, E2, NS3, NS4, and NS5). Samples with a positive antibody confirmation test result are reported as positive. Samples with a negative antibody confirmation test result are reported as negative. Samples with an indeterminate antibody confirmation test result are released as missing. Only specimens insufficient in quantity are deemed indeterminate.
There were no changes to the lab equipment or lab site for this component in the NHANES 2013-2014 cycle. However, the lab method for antibody confirmation changed from the Chiron RIBA HCV Version 3.0 Strip Immunoblot Assay Kit to the Fujirebio INNO-LIA HCV Score Assay, and the antibody confirmation now is applied only to RNA negative test results. CDC revised its guidelines for Hepatitis C (HCV) testing in 2013. This new algorithm is described in detail above in the Component Description.
Hepatitis C Confirmed Antibody Laboratory Procedure Manual (January 2018)
Serum samples were processed, stored, and shipped to the Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA for analysis.
Detailed instructions on specimen collection and processing are discussed in the NHANES Laboratory Procedures Manual (LPM). Vials are stored under appropriate frozen (–30°C) conditions until they are shipped to Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention for testing.
The NHANES quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols meet the 1988 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments mandates. Detailed QA/QC instructions are discussed in the NHANES LPM.
Mobile Examination Centers (MECs)
Laboratory team performance is monitored using several techniques. NCHS and contract consultants use a structured competency assessment evaluation during visits to evaluate both the quality of the laboratory work and the quality-control procedures. Each laboratory staff member is observed for equipment operation, specimen collection and preparation; testing procedures and constructive feedback are given to each staff member. Formal retraining sessions are conducted annually to ensure that required skill levels were maintained.
The data were reviewed. Incomplete data or improbable values were sent to the performing laboratory for confirmation.
Those who tested positive for Hepatitis C Confirmed Antibody were coded in the variable LBDHCI as 1 (Positive). Those who tested negative for Hepatitis C Confirmed Antibody were coded in the variable LBDHCI as 2 (Negative). Those who were not tested due to prior negative screening HCV antibody were coded in the variable LBDHCI as 3 (Negative Screening HCV Antibody). Those who were not tested due to prior positive HCV RNA were coded in the variable LBDHCI as 4 (Positive HCV RNA). All other examined participants aged 6 years and older were coded in the variable LBDHCI as missing.
Refer to the 2013-2014 Laboratory Data Overview for general information on NHANES laboratory data.
Demographic and Other Related Variables
The analysis of NHANES laboratory data must be conducted using the appropriate survey design and demographic variables. The 2013-2014 Demographics File contains demographic data, health indicators, and other related information collected during household interviews as well as the sample design variables. The recommended procedure for variance estimation requires use of stratum and PSU variables (SDMVSTRA and SDMVPSU, respectively) in the demographic data file.
This laboratory data file can be linked to the other NHANES data files using the unique survey participant identifier (i.e., SEQN).
Detection Limits
This data is qualitative. The use of lower limits of detection (LLODs) is not applicable.
Exam sample weights should be used for analyses. Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.
| Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Positive | 36 | 36 | |
| 2 | Negative | 25 | 61 | |
| 3 | Negative Screening HCV Antibody | 7490 | 7551 | |
| 4 | Positive HCV RNA | 67 | 7618 | |
| . | Missing | 673 | 8291 |