title: A multicenter evaluation of the Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay.
abstract: Genotype determination is recommended before starting anti-HCV therapy to determine the duration of treatment (PEG-Interferon+ribavirin). The Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 assay, based on the reverse hybridization of the 5'UTR segment and core region of hepatitis C virus (HCV), has been one of the assays used most widely for HCV genotyping. A multicenter evaluation of the more automated Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay was carried out on 124 HCV positive sera tested previously with the Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 assay. There was good agreement between the two assays. Type concordance was 95.9% (117/122) while concordance at the subtype level for genotype 1 was 95.6% (43/45). The Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay is automated, allowing a substantial reduction of time-to results and hands-on time. The combined features of full automation, objective interpretation and digital archiving make this assay useful in a diagnostic setting.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Foundation University Hospital Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81-00133, Rome, Italy. marco.ciotti@ptvonline.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciotti
authors.forename: Fabbio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcuccilli
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guenci
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babakir-Mina
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiodo
authors.forename: Mose'
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favarato
authors.forename: Carlo Federico
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Perno
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus