title: [Clinical evaluation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA].
abstract: It is important to monitor the quantity of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA for the evaluation of the therapeutic effect of lamivudine on patients with chronic HBV infection. Using 174 samples from HBV-infected patients, in this study, we compared two methods for the detection of HBV-DNA; AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR Test (PCR method; Roche Diagnostics) and QUANTIPLEX HBV DNA Assay (bDNA) (probe method; Daiichi Pure Chemicals CO.). In all 174 samples, the detection rate of HBV-DNA was higher in the PCR method (75.9%) than in the probe method (39.1%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, both in 103 samples from patients who were negative for HBe antigen (Ag) and positive for anti-HBe antibody (Ab) and in 48 samples from patients who were undergoing lamivudine therapy, the detection rates of HBV-DNA were also higher in the PCR method (71.8% and 47.9%, respectively) than in the probe method (19.4% and 6.3%, respectively) (p < 0.001, respectively). Data from the two methods were significantly correlated in 68 samples that were positive in both methods (r = 0.988, p < 0.001, y = 0.913x + 0.184). These data indicate that the PCR method is more suitable for the detection of HBV-DNA in long-term follow-up patients with negative for HBe Ag and positive for anti-HBe Ab, and in patients with lamivudine therapy for HBV infection.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015335:Molecular Probes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D015335:Molecular Probes; D019259:Lamivudine