Assessment of a Novel Automatic Real-Time PCR Assay on the Cobas 4800 Analyzer as a Screening Platform for Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping in Clinical Practice: Comparison with Massive Sequencing.

The unequivocal identification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtypes 1a/1b and genotypes 2 to 6 is required for optimizing the effectiveness of interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral therapies. We compared the performance of a new real-time HCV genotyping assay used on the Cobas 4800 system (C4800) with that of high-resolution HCV subtyping (HRCS). In total, 502 samples were used, including 184 samples from chronic HCV patients (from routine laboratory activity during April 2016), 5 stored samples with double HCV genotype infections for testing the limitations of the method, and 313 samples from a screening protocol implemented in our hospital (from May to August 2016) based on the new method to further determine its genotyping accuracy.

Predeposit autologous donation in spinal surgery: a multicentre study.

Background: Allogeneic blood transfusions (ABT) are often necessary in elective spine surgery because of perioperative blood loss. Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) has emerged as the principal means to avoid or reduce the need for ABT. Consequently, a multicentre study was conducted to determine the yield and efficacy of PABD in spine surgery and the possible role of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in facilitating PABD.