Obstetric management does not influence vertical transmission of HCV infection: results of the ALHICE group study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of variation in obstetric practice during labor and childbirth upon the rate of neonatal transmission of HCV.

Methods: Pregnant mothers were included in this prospective study from six hospitals in Southern France on the basis of positive HCV serology. Data recorded for the study included maternal factors, delivery details and laboratory data concerning mother and child.

Detection of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen using the Abbott ARCHITECT anti-HBc assay: analysis of borderline reactive sera.

Routine use of the automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay Abbott ARCHITECT anti-HBc for diagnosis of hepatitis B is limited in case of borderline reactive sera with low signal close to the cut-off index. In order to determine the significance of anti-HBc detection when borderline reactivity occurs using the ARCHITECT anti-HBc assay, a comparative study was designed. 3540 serum samples collected over a 2-month period in the hospital of Nice were examined for markers of HBV infection (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc).

Expertise of French laboratories in detection, genotyping, and quantification of hepatitis C virus RNA in serum.

Before initiating new large-scale therapeutic trials for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, the French Health Authorities for HCV research decided to organize an evaluation of the expertise of laboratories that could be engaged to undertake molecular biology assays in such trials; 21 experienced laboratories participated in this national evaluation of laboratory expertise, which was performed in two successive rounds. The first round evaluated the laboratories for their abilities to detect HCV RNA in serum, determine genotypes, and quantify HCV RNA loads. The results observed by qualitative assays for HCV RNA detection were 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for all laboratories.