A SIMPLE PCR WITH DIFFERENT 3' ENDS OF THE 3RD PRIMER FOR DETECTION OF DEFINED POINT MUTATIONS - HCV GENOTYPING AS AN EXAMPLE

In this article, we describe a useful modification of the polymerase c hain reaction for amplification applicable to hepatitis C virus genoty ping and determination of its subtypes. The method is fast, cheap and simple for detection of any known point mutation, and could be used in every laboratory with experience in polymerase chain reaction techniq ue. We could differentiate hepatitis C virus subtype Ib from other sub types and 2b from 2a and other subtypes as well. We could also differe ntiate hepatitis C type 3 using a type-specific oligonucleotide from 3 a subtype, thus covering the most common hepatitis C virus (sub)types present in the European region.