Consistency of quantitation of HCV genotype 4 from Egypt across three HCV-RNA amplification assays

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J Med Virol. 2008 Dec;80(12):2086-91.

Consistency of quantitation of HCV genotype 4 from Egypt across three HCV-RNA

amplification assays.

Sharkawi FZ, Chudy M, Hanschmann KM, Kress J, Nübling CM.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Biochemistry Department, Helwan University, Ein Helwan,

Cairo, Egypt.

Different quantitative assays for HCV-RNA are available that report test results

in International Units (IU)/ml based on the WHO International Standard. Thus,

assays have been calibrated with standard material containing HCV genotype 1, so

the consistency of quantitation might differ between assays for other HCV

genotypes. Three commercial HCV nucleic acid amplification techniques (HCV-NAT)

were compared for quantitation consistency of genotype 4 and 1 specimens from an

Egyptian blood donor panel (n = 92). Consistency of quantitation between

HCV-NATs was higher for genotype 1 than for genotype 4. Most quantitative

results reported by the assays were in the same range, but some genotype 4

samples were missed by two of the assays. The Abbott assay showed higher

concentrations for genotype 4 than the two Roche assays. Follow-up

investigations of individuals should use the same assay unless another assay has

been validated properly. Standardization of HCV-NAT assays remains an issue. J.

Med. Virol. 80:2086-2091, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 19040283 [PubMed - in process]