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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Abbott RealTime PCR assay is useful for evaluating virological response to antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis
Hiroaki Ikezaki1, Norihiro Furusyo, Takeshi Ihara
1Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. ikezaki@gim.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Insights
The Abbott RealTime PCR assay (ART) is more effective than the Roche COBAS Amplicor Monitor test (CAM) for monitoring chronic hepatitis C patients. ART provides a more accurate assessment of virological response to antiviral treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires effective monitoring during antiviral therapy.
- Pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin was a standard treatment regimen.
- Accurate quantification of HCV RNA is crucial for assessing treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Abbott RealTime PCR assay (ART) for monitoring chronic hepatitis C patients.
- To compare the utility of ART with the Roche COBAS Amplicor Monitor test (CAM).
- To assess the correlation between viral load measurements and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of serum samples from 183 patients with HCV genotype 1b.
- Measurement of HCV RNA levels using both ART and CAM at multiple time points during and after treatment.
- Correlation analysis of pretreatment viral loads and assessment of sustained virological response (SVR).
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between ART and CAM for pretreatment HCV RNA levels.
- ART showed a significantly higher logarithmic decline in HCV RNA in SVR patients compared to non-SVR patients across all time points.
- While not statistically significant, ART demonstrated a lower relapse rate compared to CAM.
- ART is more useful than CAM for evaluating virological response to antiviral treatment.
Conclusions:
- The Abbott RealTime PCR assay (ART) is a valuable tool for monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis C.
- ART offers a more sensitive and reliable method for assessing virological response compared to CAM.
- Accurate viral load monitoring with ART can aid in predicting treatment outcomes and managing chronic hepatitis C.
Abstract:
This study was done to evaluate the utility of the Abbott RealTime PCR assay (ART) for the monitoring of chronic hepatitis C patients. The serum samples of 183 patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b who had completed a 48-week period of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b plus ribavirin treatment were prospectively analyzed. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured both by ART and by the Roche COBAS Amplicor Monitor test, version2.0 (CAM) at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 of treatment, and at 24 weeks after the end of treatment (EOT). A significant positive correlation of pretreatment HCV RNA levels was found between ART and CAM (r = 0.595, P < 0.0001). Of the 183 patients, 66 (36.0%) achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). The logarithmic decline of the HCV RNA level from the pretreatment level determined by ART in SVR patients was significantly higher than that in non-SVR patients at all time points tested. The logarithmic decline determined by CAM in SVR patients was significantly higher than that in non-SVR patients only at week 4, but there was no significant difference at other weeks. Of 124 patients who were HCV RNA-negative at EOT by ART, 58 (46.8%) had a relapse of viremia at 24 weeks after EOT, whereas 77 of 143 patients (53.8%) who were HCV RNA-negative at EOT by CAM had a relapse. The relapse rate was lower when determined by ART than by CAM, but not significantly so. ART is more useful than CAM for evaluating the virological response to antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
