title: [Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction].
abstract: The authors describe the development and the application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of hepatitis C virus. Based on the sequence data available in the literature, a conservative motif at the 5' end of the virus genome has been selected for amplification. Using the flanking synthetic oligonucleotides the specificity of the highly sensitive RNA-PCR assay was proved by serologically positive and negative serum samples. HCV-RNA-PCR studies were applied to start interferon treatment in patients from National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy (Budapest) with anti-HCV positive serum samples and this method was used to evaluate the efficacy of interferon therapy, as well.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Orvostudományi Egyetem, Biológiai Intézet, Budapest.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falus
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nemesánszky
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hajnal
mesh_terms: D016679:Genome, Viral; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons