H. Tokita et al., Hepatitis C virus core mutations reduce the sensitivity of a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay, J CLIN MICR, 38(9), 2000, pp. 3450-3452
Four of 107 samples obtained from hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers showed l
ower HCV core antigen levels in a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) th
an expected from corresponding HCV RNA levels. Nucleotide sequencing reveal
ed a mutation in the HCV core region (Thr49Pro) that appears to have reduce
d the FEIA sensitivity.