Sensitivity of PCR assays for the determination of hepatitis A virus RNA in plasma pools. A collaborative study.
OBJECTIVE
A collaborative study was organised to establish a hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA standard for genomic amplification assays (GAT).


METHODS
A panel of 10 samples consisting of a 10-fold serial dilution of wild-type HAV diluted in HAV-negative cryosupernatant and samples of the diluent were sent to 14 laboratories in duplicate for testing for HAV RNA by the polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Data returned by 12 laboratories indicated that the sensitivities of the assays performed by different laboratories were fairly close: there was a 100-fold difference in sensitivity between the majority of laboratories. Only one laboratory reported false-positive results.


CONCLUSIONS
A 10-5 dilution of the virus in cryosupernatant could be an appropriate working reagent for GAT assays for HAV RNA in plasma pools.
Saldanha
J
J
Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, UK. jsaldanha@nibsc.ac.uk
D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D012367:RNA, Viral