Research paper
Optimisation and evaluation of a quantitative cherniluminescent polymerase chain reaction assay for hepatitis C virus RNA

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Abstract

A quantitative non-isotopic assay for measuring hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA has been developed and evaluated. Viral RNA extracted from serum is reverse transcribed and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using biotinylated 5′ non-coding region primers. PCR products are captured on streptavidin coated microtitre plates, denatured with sodium hydroxide and hybridised with an alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligonucleotide probe. Quantification is achieved by measuring the intensity of light emitted by a dioxetane-based cherniluminescent substrate. The chief advantages of the assay are: (i) extreme sensitivity with the ability to detect single molecules of HCV cDNA, (ii) a 5 log10 dynamic range sufficient to cover the 103–108 genomes/ml viraemia levels typically seen in patient samples, (iii) specificity and reproducibility suitable for application in a clinical context, and (iv) a rapid non-nested assay format with the ability to handle large throughputs and with a potential for automation. The feasibility of using the assay to monitor viraemia level changes in patients undergoing interferon therapy for chronic HCV infection has been demonstrated.

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