Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in acute non-A, non-B hepatitis as an early diagnostic tool.

Abstract

The presence of hepatitis C virus RNA was examined in the sera of 32 patients with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. Hepatitis C virus RNA was extracted from serum, reverse transcribed to cDNA and amplified by two rounds of polymerase chain reaction. Hepatitis C virus RNA was detected in all patients who developed anti-C100-3 as well as 79% who did not. These data suggest that hepatitis C virus accounts for most cases of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis whether anti-C100-3-positive or not. In addition, hepatitis C virus RNA was detected in the earliest serum samples, 9 +/- 11 weeks before anti-C100-3, and thus may be valuable as a diagnostic marker for acute hepatitis C.

• Authors: N Kato, O Yokosuka, K Hosoda, Y Ito, M Ohto, M Omata
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 192 Issue 2 Pg. 800-7 (Apr 30 1993) ISSN: 0006-291X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7683464 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis Antibodies
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• RNA, Viral
• anti-C100-3
• DNA

Topics

• Base Sequence
• DNA
• Hepacivirus (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis C (diagnosis)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Humans
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA, Viral (blood)
• Sensitivity and Specificity