Colorimetric oligonucleotide array for genotyping of hepatitis C virus based on the 5' non-coding region.
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.
Mao
Hongju
H
Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, PR China.
Lu
Zhimeng
Z
Zhang
Honglian
H
Liu
Kangdong
K
Zhao
Jianlong
J
Jin
Gendi
G
Gu
Shimin
S
Yang
Mengsu
M
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
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions