Detection of hepatitis B virus YMDD variants using a matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometric analysis / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) YMDD variants by matrix-assisted laser de-sorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Methods The assay is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifica-tion and mass measurement of oligonucleotides containing sites of mutation of the YMDD motif. Result The MALDI-TOF MS-based genoty-ping assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect as few as 100 copies of HBV genome per milliliter of serum, and this method had superior spe-cificity for determining mixtures of wild-type and variant viruses. When sera of 40 patients were analyzed, the MALDI-TOF MS-based assay correctly identified known viral variants and additional viral quasi-species not detected by previous methods, as well as their'relative abun-dance. Conclusion The sensitivity, specificity and amenability to high-throughput analysis make MALDI-TOF MS-based assay suitable for mass screening of HBV infected patients who are receiving lamivudine.