Antiviral Therapeutic Monitoring: Role of Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen versus Hepatitis C Virus RNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Hepatitis C core antigen testing: a reliable, quick, and potentially cost-effective alternative to hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction in diagnosing acute hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasingly common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men. We evaluated the efficacy of HCV core antigen in diagnosing acute HCV in an HIV-infected cohort. Compared with HCV polymerase chain reaction, core antigen proved sensitive (100%) and specific (97.9%). As a quick, simple, and cost-effective test, it has considerable utility...

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by a combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.

Amplification of RNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is normally a two-step process requiring separate enzymes and buffer conditions. We describe a combined reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA amplification in which a single enzyme and buffer condition are used. In this assay, both the RT and PCR steps are carried out with the thermoactive DNA polymer...

Hepatitis C virus and skin

Nowadays viral hepatitis is one of the most common and important causes of chronic liver disorders in the world. Extrahepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis consist a main part of the disease. The main viruses causing hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B and C viruses. Herein common skin manifestations in hepatitis C virus (HCV) are discussed. Chronic hepatitis causes skin disorders both directl...

Hepatitis C Virus RNA

Nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in blood derivatives.

Testing for the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood derivatives used in clinical medicine is of enormous importance to ensure the production of safe preparations. So far, no system has been developed for the isolation and detection of hepatitis C virus from blood derivatives. The recently introduced commercial kit for the detection of hepatitis C virus is designed for the isolation and...