HLA class I allele associations with HCV genetic variants in patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1a or 1b infection.

Background & Aims: The adaptive immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is significantly shaped by the host's composition of HLA-alleles with the consequence that the HLA phenotype is a critical determinant of viral evolution during adaptive immune pressure. In the present study, we aimed to identify associations of HLA class I alleles with HCV subtypes 1a and 1b genetic variants.

Methods: The association between HCV genetic variants and specific HLA-alleles was investigated in a cohort of 159 patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1a- and 1b-infection who were treated with pegylated interferon-alfa 2b and ribavirin in a prospective controlled trial for 48 weeks by direct sequencing of the genes encoding the HCV proteins E2, NS3, and NS5B and by HLA class I-genotyping of patients.

Evaluation of an automated, highly sensitive, real-time PCR-based assay (COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan) for quantification of HCV RNA.

Background: Diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its therapy is based on qualitative and quantitative measurement of HCV RNA.

Objectives: A new assay that employs automated specimen extraction and real-time RT-PCR (COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan, "CAP/CTM", Roche Diagnostics, Pleasanton, USA) was designed for linear quantification and highly sensitive detection of HCV RNA.

Study Design: The performance characteristics of CAP/CTM were compared to standard RT-PCR-based COBAS Amplicor Monitor 2.