Assessment of hepatitis C virus-RNA clearance under combination therapy for hepatitis C virus genotype 1: performance of the transcription-mediated amplification assay

摘要: Monitoring of HCV-RNA in blood during antiviral therapy is performed mostly by commercially available reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-based (RT-PCR) assays, with a lower detection limit 30-50 IU/mL HCV-RNA. Use different tests the pivotal trials combination has generated some discordance, terms predictive value early virological response (EVR). To evaluate whether use more sensitive test, as qualitative assay based on mediated amplification (TMA) 5-10 HCV-RNA, may obtain better prediction EVR and ultimate outcome, we retrospectively evaluated serial samples from 108 naive patients HCV genotype 1 chronic hepatitis, treated pegylated alpha2b interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks 24 stopping rule. Serum patients, obtained treatment at 4, 12, after week 24, were TMA. Comparison RT-PCR TMA assays showed no significant differences performance when these used end period assessing without an on-treatment those who eventually sustained response. Our results show instead that to detect 12 effective than identifying highest probability clearance.