Serotyping of hepatitis C virus in chronic type C hepatitis in Taiwan: correlation with genotypes.
To evaluate the usefulness of a new serologic assay to group hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotypes identified by this serotyping method were compared to those identified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with type-specific primers in 71 Taiwanese patients with chronic type C hepatitis. The group-specific antibodies against different HCV genotypes were detected by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on group-specific recombinant peptides (C14-1 and C14-2) within the NS4 region. Among 71 patients positive for current second-generation HCV antibodies, HCV RNA was detected in 55 patients by PCR with primers from the 5' untranslating region, and in 52 by genotype-specific PCR. In 49 (89%) of 55 viremic patients, the results of serotyping by ELISA showed complete agreement with those determined by PCR genotyping, and none of the patients showed a group opposite to that of HCV genotype. The positive rate of group-specific antibodies (69/71;97%) was even better than that of the PCR (55/71;78%). We conclude that this new serotyping assay is highly sensitive and specific for the determination of HCV genotypes, and will be useful in future epidemiologic studies, as well for clinical application.
Kao
J H
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Lin
H H
HH
Chen
P J
PJ
Lai
M Y
MY
Wang
T H
TH
Mizokami
M
M
Chen
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies