Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction
Falus, A.; Nemesánszky, E.; Hajnal, A.
Orvosi Hetilap 136(7): 339-341
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 7532847 Document Number: 440753
The authors describe the development and the application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of hepatitis C virus. Based on the sequence data available in the literature, a conservative motif at the 5' end of the virus genome has been selected for amplification. Using the flanking synthetic oligonucleotides the specificity of the highly sensitive RNA-PCR assay was proved by serologically positive and negative serum samples. HCV-RNA-PCR studies were applied to start interferon treatment in patients from National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy (Budapest) with anti-HCV positive serum samples and this method was used to evaluate the efficacy of interferon therapy, as well.