Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Using a Novel Mouse Monoclonal Antibody to Detect Serum HCV E1/E2 Antigens.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide and in Egypt. The aim of this study was to detect HCV E1/E2 antigens using a novel mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) designated (7G9) as a diagnostic and alternative approach for HCV detection.

Methods: The detection of HCV-E1/E2 antigens in 138 patients positive for HCV infection tested by RT-PCR and 25 healthy individuals negative for HCV as control group was done by an optimized in-house ELISA and DotELISA (based on the molecular mimicry of E2 to immunoglobulins).

Performance characteristics of the VERSANT hepatitis C virus RNA 1.0 (kPCR) assay.

HCV RNA assays are of central importance for virological diagnostics and for clinical planning and monitoring of an antiviral combination treatment of chronic HCV infections. The objective of the pre-market evaluation of the VERSANT HCV RNA 1.0 Assay (kPCR) was to collect analytical performance data for this new method of HCV RNA quantification and to compare them with the high standards that exist in this context.

Instructive even after a decade: Complete results of initial virological diagnostics and re-evaluation of molecular data in the German rabies virus "outbreak" caused by transplantations.

In 2005, six patients in Germany received solid organs and both corneas from a donor with an unrecognized rabies infection. Initial virological diagnostics with the machinery available at the two national reference laboratories could quickly clarify the situation. Rabies virus antigen was detected in the organ donor's brain.

[New approaches to the treatment of the flavivirus infections].

Since spontaneous mutagenesis and quasi-species rearrangements of the RNA-containing viruses, as well as an absence of both viral and cellular RNA reparation systems, causes resistance to originally effective antiviral drugs, combination therapy with nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors of the viral enzymes in combination with immunomodulators is recommended. The use of specific immunoglobulins does not result in complete elimination of the flaviviruses but rather in possible antibody-dependent enhancement of the flavivirus infection by means of increased penetration of complexes of virions with specific antibodies into cells with receptors for Fc-fragments of immunoglobulins.

Hepatitis C virus hypervariable region 1 variants presented on hepatitis B virus capsid-like particles induce cross-neutralizing antibodies.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still a serious global health burden. Despite improved therapeutic options, a preventative vaccine would be desirable especially in undeveloped countries. Traditionally, highly conserved epitopes are targets for antibody-based prophylactic vaccines.