RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SUITABILITY OF THE LCX(R) PLATFORM FOR DETECTION OF BLOODBORNE VIRUSES

Objective: To evaluate the suitability of the LCx(R) platform for dete cting the presence of HIV, HBV and HCV in plasma specimens. Results: H IV-1 or HIV-2, HBV and HCV nucleic acids could be detected in plasma s pecimens at an analytical sensitivity of 10-20 copies per reaction (34 -68 copies per mi using the equivalent of 0.29 ml plasma). The HIV tes t could detect culture isolates of group M subtypes A-G and group O. T he HCV test detected genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Signific ant reduction of detection window periods were observed for all three viruses. A single sample processing could be used to purify the RNA an d DNA genomes of these three viruses simultaneously. An internal contr ol was amplified and detected simultaneously for each test. Conclusion s: The semi-automated LCx(R) platform is suitable for providing sensit ive, accurate results for all three viral analytes. This platform has potential as a valuable tool in reducing the risks of transfusion-asso ciated viral infection.