Real-time detection system for quantification of hepatitis C virus genome

T Takeuchi, A Katsume, T Tanaka, A Abe, K Inoue… - Gastroenterology, 1999 - Elsevier
T Takeuchi, A Katsume, T Tanaka, A Abe, K Inoue, K Tsukiyama-Kohara, R Kawaguchi…
Gastroenterology, 1999Elsevier
Background & Aims: For diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection and monitoring of viral load
in patients, a highly sensitive and accurate hepatitis C virus quantification system is
essential. Methods: Hepatitis C virus genome was detected by real/time detection system
using an ABI Prism 7700 sequence detector (Perkin Elmer Corp./Applied Biosystems, Foster
City, CA). Results: As few as 10 copies of the genome were detected, and the quantification
range was between 101 and 108 copies (r> 0.99). This system was 10–100-fold more …
Background & Aims
For diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection and monitoring of viral load in patients, a highly sensitive and accurate hepatitis C virus quantification system is essential.
Methods
Hepatitis C virus genome was detected by real/time detection system using an ABI Prism 7700 sequence detector (Perkin Elmer Corp./Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA).
Results
As few as 10 copies of the genome were detected, and the quantification range was between 101 and 108 copies (r > 0.99). This system was 10–100-fold more sensitive than an Amplicor monitor (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Branchburg, NJ). The coefficient of variation values for both intra-assay precision and interassay reproducibility of identifying the genome quantification ranged from 0.37% to 2.00% and 0.88% to 4.66%, respectively. The system could detect the genome in 98% of patients with chronic hepatitis, 95.8% of patients with liver cirrhosis, and 100% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had the antibody to hepatitis C virus, but could not detect the genome in patients without the antibody.
Conclusions
The establishment of a real-time detection system enables more accurate diagnosis of infection and monitoring of viral load in interferon-treated patients via quantification of viral genome. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:636-642
Elsevier