title: Comparison of HCV RNA assays for the detection and quantification of hepatitis C virus RNA levels in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon.
abstract: Detection and quantification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels by using the standardized qualitative Amplicor HCV and quantitative Amplicor HCV Monitor assays (Roche Molecular Systems) were evaluated in 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon. Results were compared with an in-house reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and the branched DNA (bDNA) assay (Quantiplex, version 1.0, Chiron Diagnostics). Concordance of the qualitative results with the Amplicor HCV and in-house RT-PCR assays occurred in 82% of the samples. All but one of the discrepant specimens were found positive by the Amplicor HCV assay and negative by the in-house RT-PCR. Among the samples with HCV RNA levels measurable with the Amplicor HCV Monitor assay, 22% had HCV RNA titers below the detection limit of the Quantiplex assay. A statistically significant correlation was found between the 2 quantitative assays, although lower titers were obtained with the Amplicor HCV Monitor assay. More important, a good correlation was observed in the evolution of viremia as measured by the 2 assays during interferon therapy. During follow-up of interferon treatments, with the Amplicor HCV Monitor assay, persisting viremia was still detected in 27% of the patients who normalised alanine aminotransferase (ALT), emphasizing the bioclinical relevance of the assay. Pre-treatment serum HCV RNA levels above 10(5) copies/ml were found more frequently in nonresponders than in responders (76% vs. 44%; P < 0.05). Given their great sensitivity and the significant correlations, the Amplicor HCV qualitative and quantitative assays appear useful for the diagnosis and management of hepatitis C infection, and especially for monitoring of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche sur les Virus des hépatites, (INSERM U271), Lyon, France.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Trabaud
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bailly
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Si-Ahmed
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chevallier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sepetjan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trépo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000592:standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons