title: [Comparison of three methods for quantitative measurement of hepatitis C virus].
abstract: Three assays for measuring hepatitis C virus(HCV) were compared with regard to sensitivity and correlations. The methods included were the Roche Amplicor HCV Monitor test(PCR), the branched DNA signal amplification assay(b-probe), and the serum concentration of HCV core protein measured by the sandwich FEIA (Core-Ag). Also, HCV serotypes were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Testing 105 consecutive HCV-RNA positive samples showed that the PCR was the most sensitive assay(100% quantifiable), followed by the Core-Ag(82.4%) and the b-probe(75.3%). The values obtained by each method correlated well in serotype 1, whereas some discordance was noted in serotype 2 cases. Also, serotype 2 samples were less quantifiable particularly by b-probe assay than serotype 1 samples. These points have to be considered in quantification of serum HCV levels by currently available these three methods.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory of Tsukuba University Hospital.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yukimasa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawahata
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isobe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakai
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012367:RNA, Viral