title: Colorimetric oligonucleotide array for genotyping of hepatitis C virus based on the 5' non-coding region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus infection is now one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease. HCV genotype has emerged as an important factor both in predicting a sustained response to, and in determining the duration of, antiviral therapy. Microarrays provide excellent tools for rapid genotyping of hepatitis C virus due to their ability to perform a multitude of tests simultaneously.
  
  
  METHODS
  A colorimetric oligonucleotide array that specially and rapidly detects the genotype/subtypes of hepatitis C virus was designed and developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 256 consecutive HCV RNA positive samples derived from patients with chronic hepatitis C were examined for their genotypes/subtypes by the oligonucleotide array. Identification of genotypes and subtypes by the HCV oligonucleotide array showed a concordance rate of 99.2% with nucleotide sequencing results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oligonucleotide array offers an economical and convenient alternative to detect HCV infection, as well as permitting identification of the genotype/subtypes, in a large-scale setting. Oligonucleotide arrays provide a reliable and sensitive method for the detection and discrimination of HCV genotypes common in China, and are suitable for routine use in a diagnostic laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongju
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Zhimeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Honglian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Kangdong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianlong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Gendi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Shimin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Mengsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions