ABSTRACT
The determination of HCV genotypes and subtypes is very important for the selection of antiviral therapy and epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II assay in HCV genotyping of HCV infected patients in Kayseri, Turkey. One hundred patients with chronic hepatitis C admitted to our hospital were evaluated between June 2012 and December 2012, HCV RNA levels were determined by the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan 48 HCV test. HCV genotyping was investigated by the Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II assay. With the exception of genotype 1, subtypes of HCV genotypes could not be determined by Abbott assay. Sequencing analysis was used as the reference method. Genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were observed in 70, 4, 2 and 24 of the 100 patients, respectively, by two methods. The concordance between the two systems to determine HCV major genotypes was 100%. Of 70 patients with genotype 1, 66 showed infection with subtype 1b and 4 with subtype 1a by Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II assay. Using sequence analysis, 61 showed infection with subtype 1b and 9 with subtype 1a. In determining of HCV genotype 1 subtypes, the difference between the two methods was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. HCV genotype 4 and 3 samples were found to be subtype 4d and 3a, respectively, by sequence analysis. There were four patients with genotype 2. Sequence analysis revealed that two of these patients had type 2a and the other two had type 2b. The Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II assay yielded results consistent with sequence analysis. However, further optimization of the Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II assay for subtype identification of HCV is required. KEY WORDS: HCV genotypes, Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay, Sequencing
ABSTRACT
A structured questionnaire was administered to health-care workers [HCWs]. The HCWs were also screened for measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella [MMRV] using serological methods. One thousand two hundred and fifty-five HCWs were tested. Of the HCWs examined, 94% were immune to measles, 97% to rubella, 90% to mumps and 98% to varicella. The positive predictive values of histories of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella were 96%, 93%, 100% and 98%, respectively. The negative predictive values of histories of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella were 13%, 17%, 5% and 2%, respectively. The cost of vaccination without screening was significantly more expensive [cost difference: 24,385] for varicella, although vaccination without screening was cheap [cost difference: 5693] for MMR. Although the use of cheaper vaccines supports the implementation of vaccination programs without screening, the cost of vaccination should not be calculated based only on the direct costs. The indirect costs associated with lost work time due to vaccination and its side effects and the direct costs of potential side effects should be considered. However, if prescreening is not conducted, some HCWs [2-7%] would be unprotected against these contagious illnesses because of the unreliability of their MMRV history. In conclusion, the screening of HCWs before vaccination continues to be advisable
ABSTRACT
To investigate the distribution of hepatitis B virus [HBV] genotypes among patients with chronic hepatitis B in Kayseri, Turkey. The study took place in the Department of Microbiology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, and Lontek Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, from January 2005 to October 2007. One hundred and ten patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in this study. Hepatitis B virus DNA in sera were investigated by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Viral DNA was extracted from 200 microL of serum using the QIA amp DNA min Elute kit [Qiagen, Hilden, Germany]. Reaction mixture was prepared by Fluorion HBV QNP 2.0 [lontek, Istanbul, Turkey]. Genotype D was detected in 107 of 110 [97.2%] patients, however, genotyping failed in 3 patients [2.7%]. No other genotypes were found. The vast majority of Turkish patients with chronic hepatitis B have genotype D
Subject(s)
Humans , Genotype , Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , DNA, Viral/methods , Hepatitis B, Chronic/epidemiologyABSTRACT
To compare the real-time [RT], and qualitative [Q] polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assays for detection of Cytomegalovirus [CMV] DNA. The study took place in the Department of Microbiology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, and in lontek Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, from August to December 2006. One hundred and seven clinical specimens from 67 patients were included in the study. Cytomegalovirus DNA was investigated using RT-PCR kit [Fluorion lontek, Turkey] and Q-PCR kit [Fluorion lontek, Turkey]. Deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing was applied to the samples that yielded discrepant results in both assays. MacNemar's Chi Square test was used for statistical analysis. Of the specimens, 27 were found positive with both assays; 9 with only RT-PCR, and 11 with only Q-PCR assay. Both assays were found negative in 60 of the specimens. There was a good agreement between the 2 assays in 87 [81.3%] of the specimens. There was no statistical significant difference between the assays [P>0.05]. Two of the 11 samples that RT-PCR negative Q-PCR positive, and 3 of the 9 samples that RT-PCR positive Q-PCR negative were found to be CMV DNA positive by DNA sequencing. A good level of concordance between RT-PCR and Q-PCR assays for CMV DNA detection has been found