title: [Reverse hybridization and sequencing for genotyping the hepatitis C virus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The methods for genotyping the hepatitis C virus have been much discussed. The aim of this study was to compare the methodologies of reverse hybridization and direct sequencing for genotyping the hepatitis C virus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one plasma samples from patients attended at the Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, were used. Genotyping by reverse hybridization was performed using the INNO-LiPA(R) v.1.0 commercial kit. Direct sequencing was performed in an automated sequencer using in-house protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genotyping by direct sequencing was shown to be efficient for resolving cases that had remained inconclusive after using the commercial kit. The kit showed erroneous results in relation to virus subtyping. Moreover, direct sequencing revealed an error of the kit regarding the genotypic determination, thereby raising doubts about the efficiency of reverse hybridization for identifying the virus genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genotyping by direct sequencing allowed greater accuracy of virus classification than did reverse hybridization.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP.
authors.forename: Patrícia Martinez
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Levada
authors.forename: Camila Fernanda Verdichio de
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Silvia Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Corvino
authors.forename: Rejane Maria Tommasini
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Grotto
authors.forename: Giovanni Faria
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Maria Inês de Moura Campos
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Pardini
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C087036:NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase