Changing of hepatitis C virus genotype patterns in France at the beginning of the third millenium: The GEMHEP GenoCII Study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate, during a short period between 2000 and 2001, in a large population of patients with chronic hepatitis C, the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in France. Data from 26 referral centres, corresponding to 1769 patients with chronic hepatitis C were collected consecutively during a 6-month period. HCV genotyping in the 5'-non-coding region (NCR) was performed in each center using the line probe assay (LiPA, in 63% of cases), sequencing (25%) or primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (12%).

[Assessment of the diagnostic value of RT-PCR on amniotic fluid for prenatal diagnosis of congenital rubella infection].

Aim Of The Study: To assess the diagnostic value of RT-PCR on amniotic fluid (AF) for prenatal diagnosis of congenital rubella infection.

Material And Methods: RT-PCR on AF was compared to specific IgM antibody detection in foetuses and/or newborns in 45 pregnant women with confirmed primary infection.

Results: specificity of RT-PCR was 100% and sensitivity ranged between 83 and 95%.

Diagnostic value of reverse transcription-PCR of amniotic fluid for prenatal diagnosis of congenital rubella infection in pregnant women with confirmed primary rubella infection.

The diagnostic value of RT-PCR of amniotic fluid (AF) for prenatal diagnosis of congenital rubella virus infection in 45 pregnant women with confirmed primary infection was assessed. Specificity of RT-PCR was 100% and sensitivity ranged between 83 and 95%.

The assessment of IgG avidity in the evaluation of perinatal herpes simplex virus infection.

Classical serologic assays are not useful for the diagnosis of perinatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection during the acute phase of the disease. We report two cases of neonatal HSV infection that highlight the diagnostic value of HSV-specific IgG avidity and its contribution for further characterization of neonatal HSV infection.