Detection of Hepatitis C Virus Infection by Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay System Using Core Protein Expressed in Escherichia coli

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay of the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) expressed in E. coli led to detection of the antibody against this virus in patients with chronic hepatitis. Some of the negative results obtained using a different viral protein became positive with this E. coli‐expressed viral protein, and were also positive for the viral RNA. Thus, use of the core protein of HCV facilitates accurate detection of HCV infection.