Performance characteristics of a real-time RT-PCR assay for quantification of hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with genotype 1 and 2 infections
-
Jee-Fu Huang
Abstract
Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods play an essential role in providing data relating to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay is an established and promising tool in terms of quantifying HCV RNA for clinical application. This study aimed to evaluate the performance characteristics of a real-time RT-PCR-based test in a clinical setting.
Methods: Validation and reproducibility tests were performed using a standard panel. Sera from 197 chronic HCV patients were analyzed by the real-time RT-PCR assay and the results were compared with the Versant bDNA3.0 assay (bDNA3.0).
Results: The real-time RT-PCR assay showed an acceptable linear response (r2=0.989–0.995) in the serial dilutions regarding genotypes 1b, 2a, 2b and 1b+2a. HCV viral loads were quantifiable in all 197 patients (100%) by the real-time RT-PCR assay and in 194 (98.5%) by the bDNA3.0. HCV RNA quantification values measured by the real-time RT-PCR and bDNA3.0 assays were positively correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.734, p<0.001). The real-time RT-PCR assay values were on average 0.13 logs higher than the bDNA3.0 results. The correlation coefficients with genotypes 1b, 2a, 2b and mixed were 0.737, 0.711, 0.791 and 0.766, respectively (p<0.01).
Conclusions: The real-time RT-PCR assay showed comparable performance with bDNA3.0 regarding quantification of HCV viral loads with genotype 1 and 2 HCV infections.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:475–80.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Editorial
- Improving clinicians understanding of lipoprotein sub-fractions through new technology
- Review
- Free fatty acids as a cardiovascular risk factor
- Opinion Papers
- Pharmacy-based laboratory services: past or future and risk or opportunity?
- Standards of practice and uniformity in references style
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- The apolipoprotein A5 gene –1131T→C polymorphism affects vitamin E plasma concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients
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