title: Comparison of serial Hepatitis C virus detection in samples submitted through serology for reflex confirmation versus samples directly submitted for quantitation.
abstract: Using real-time technology, we reliably identified chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and quantified virus from reflex samples originally submitted for serologic testing. There was no need to process specimens obtained directly for quantitation separately. Whether the initial source is a reflex sample or one obtained directly, a repeat HCV RNA test is needed before starting treatment.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Section (151B), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 50 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20422, USA. howard.gale@va.gov
authors.forename: Howard B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: D Robert
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.forename: Nazia N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Qazi
authors.forename: Virginia L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kan
mesh_terms: D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012699:Serology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*