Second-generation Hybrid capture test and Amplicor monitor test generate highly correlated hepatitis B virus DNA levels

The performance of the Digene Hybrid Capture II HBV DNA Test HC II and the Roche Cobas Amplicor Monitor Test (Cobas-HBV) was evaluated on 252 serum sa mples. One hundred and seventy-three samples were HBV DNA positive and 75 H BV DNA negative by both assays. Four samples were HBV DNA positive by Cobas -HBV only. Linear regression analysis showed that the HBV DNA concentration s obtained from both assays were significantly related (n = 173. r = 0.976, P < 0.0001). The results of the study show that Hybrid capture II and Coba s-HBV could be used equally in the management for patients with chronic HBV infection. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.