[Use of polymerase chain reaction in clinical diagnostic laboratories in viral hepatitis B and C]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Viral Immunology
• Molecular Diagnostics and Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are significant global health concerns.
• Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of antiviral therapy are crucial for managing HBV and HCV infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical utility of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing HBV and HCV.
• To assess PCR's role in monitoring antiviral roferon A therapy for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) patients.

Main Methods:

• Detection of HBV and HCV markers in patient serum using enzyme immunoassay and PCR.
• Analysis of PCR sensitivity in acute and chronic HBV and HCV cases.
• Monitoring of HCV RNA levels before and after roferon A treatment via PCR.

Main Results:

• PCR detected HBV DNA in 100% of acute HBV and 65.7% of chronic HBV patients.
• HCV RNA was identified in 71% of chronic HCV patients by PCR.
• Post-roferon A therapy, 43.2% of initially PCR-positive HCV patients showed no detectable HCV RNA.

Conclusions:

• PCR demonstrates high diagnostic value for acute and chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
• PCR is recommended for patient selection and assessing the efficacy of specific antiviral therapies like roferon A.