title: Hepatitis C Virus Core Mutations Associated with False-Negative Serological Results for Genotype 3a Core Antigen.
abstract: Genetic characterization of the genotype 3a (GT3a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) core region from HCV core antigen (HCVcAg)-negative/RNA-positive cases and HCVcAg-positive/RNA-positive controls identified significant associations between the substitutions A48T and T49A/P and failure to detect HCVcAg (P < 0.05). Polymorphisms at residues 48 and 49 in the core protein are present across all major epidemic and endemic GTs. These findings have implications for HCV diagnosis, particularly in low-income regions in which GT3a HCV is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Ireland Vietnam Blood-Borne Virus Initiative, Dublin, Ireland, and Hanoi, Vietnam Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam crid.office@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: Linh Thuy
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunford
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holder
authors.affiliation: Ireland Vietnam Blood-Borne Virus Initiative, Dublin, Ireland, and Hanoi, Vietnam Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Lan Anh
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: Ireland Vietnam Blood-Borne Virus Initiative, Dublin, Ireland, and Hanoi, Vietnam National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
authors.forename: Cillian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Gascun
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D050505:Mutant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D050505:Mutant Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus