The present invention provides unique recombinant antigens representing distinct antigenic regions of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genome which can be used as reagents for the detection of antibodies and antigen in body fluids from individuals exposed to HCV. The present invention also provides an assay for detecting the presence of an antibody to an HCV antigen in a sample by contacting the sample with the recombinant antigens. Preferred assay formats include a screening assay, a confirmatory assay, a competition or neutralization assay and an immunodot assay.