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Differences between quantification of genotype 3 hepatitis C virus RNA by Versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV Test

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Published/Copyright: December 19, 2016

Abstract

Background:

Differences between the designs of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load assays can result in genotype-related variability in RNA quantification. We tested paired aliquots of plasma specimens from HCV-infected individuals using two versions (v1.0 and v2.0) of the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV Test (CAP/CTM HCV) and noted variability between results for a subset of specimens; we then sought to determine whether discrepant results were more prevalent among specific HCV genotypes.

Methods:

Archived and prospectively-collected plasma samples from 114 unique patients were tested using CAP/CTM HCV v1.0 and v2.0. The HCV genotype result for each patient was determined by retrospectively reviewing laboratory records.

Results:

All (46/46) specimens with quantifiable viral loads from patients with genotype 1 or 2 infection had CAP/CTM HCV v1.0 and v2.0 results that were within 0.5 log10 IU/mL; in contrast, only 3/11 (27.3%) from patients with HCV genotype 3 (mean difference, 0.56 log10 IU/mL higher with v2.0) and 0/3 (0%) from patients with HCV genotype 4 (mean difference, 0.91 log10 IU/mL higher with v2.0) had results within 0.5 log10 IU/mL. Among specimens with detectable HCV RNA below the lower limit of quantification with v1.0, greater proportions of genotype 3 (4/7, 57.1%) and genotype 4 (3/4, 75.0%) specimens than genotype 1 or 2 specimens (6/30, 20.0%) had v2.0 results within the quantifiable range.

Conclusions:

In patients infected with HCV genotype 3, sequential CAP/CTM HCV viral load results should be compared with caution and interpreted in the context of the specific assay version used.


Corresponding author: Eric S. Rosenberg, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Gray-Bigelow 526, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA, Phone: +617-724-7519, Fax: +617-726-5957

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bryan Cobb, PhD and Gabrielle Heilek, PhD at Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. for performing viral nucleic acid sequence analysis. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Kent B. Lewandrowski, MD for his thoughtful critical review of an earlier draft of the manuscript.

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: None declared.

  3. Employment or leadership: None declared.

  4. Honorarium: None declared.

  5. Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

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Received: 2016-9-6
Accepted: 2016-11-1
Published Online: 2016-12-19
Published in Print: 2017-6-27

©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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