In this study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology (July 8, 2008), 50 consecutive patients with genotype 2 or 3 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were treated with 135 microgram weekly pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) and daily ribavirin (11 mg/kg body weight) for 24 weeks.

Rapid virological response (RVR) at week 4, end-of-treatment response, and sustained virological response (SVR) were analyzed using 2 different HCV RNA quantitation methods: the Cobas Amplicor Monitor test with a sensitivity of 600 IU/mL, and the TaqMan test with a sensitivity of 15 IU/mL, respectively.

Results

Based on these findings, the Swedish study authors concluded, "The more sensitive TaqMan test yielded a lower number of patients with RVR than the less sensitive Amplicor Monitor test, but predicted SVR in a higher percentage of patients with RVR than the Amplicor Monitor test."

In addition, they noted, "A RVR, meaning HCV RNA levels <15 IU/ml, predicted a SVR in 97% of patients with genotype 2 or 3."

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Division of Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

8/05/08

Reference
T Carlsson, A Quist and O Weiland. Rapid viral response and treatment outcome in genotype 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C: comparison between two HCV RNA quantitation methods. Journal of Medical Virology 80(5): 803-807. May 2008. (Abstract)