Summary
Quantification of serum HCV-RNA and HCV genotyping was studied in 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon treatment. Pretreatment serum HCV-RNA levels were quantified using competitive RT-PCR and compared to a quantitative RT-PCR assay based on co-amplification of HCV-RNA with a synthetic RNA standard. HCV genotyping was performed using a line probe reversed hybridisation assay or direct solid-phase sequencing. This study shows the feasibility of performing HCV-RNA quantification. RT-PCR based on co-amplification HCV-RNA titer less than 6× 104 genome equivalents/ml serum did correlate with a complete sustained response to α interferon in chronic hepatitis C. HCV genotype 1b was α predominantly associated with a high non-responder rate. Future prospective trials will be required to evaluate quantitative HCV-RNA levels and HCV genotyping as response predicting parameters for interferon-treatment.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gerken, G., Knolle, P., Jakobs, S. et al. Quantification and genotyping of serum HCV-RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon treatment. Arch. Virol. 142, 459–464 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007050050092
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007050050092