RAPID DETECTION OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-RNA BY DIRECT CAPTURE FROM BLOOD

A new diagnostic assay for hepatitis C virus RNA detection is describe d. HCV genomic RNA is captured onto streptavidin-coated magnetic beads by solution hybridization with biotinylated complementary oligonucleo tides. The specificity of the capture assay is confirmed using differe nt capture oligonucleotides as well as sera representing different typ es of HCV. Sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of a HCV infected plasma. A panel of 50 sera was tested for anti-HCV by a Line Immunoassay and for HCV-RNA by both a conventional guanidinium ex traction method and the new capture assay. The specificity of the capt ure assay was 95.8% and the sensitivity was 92.3% compared to the stan dard protocol. This method provides a rapid and simple alternative for HCV-RNA detection in blood samples.