HCV RNA in plasma samples were either determined by the quantitative cobas®HCV assay (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, German) run at the cobas®6800 system (Roche Molecular system) or by the Aptima HCV Quant Dx assay (Hologic GmbH, Vienna, Austria) run at the Panther® system (Hologic, Marlborough, MA, USA). The lower quantification limit were 15 IU/mL and 10 IU/mL, respectively, and all analyses were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
DBS were obtained on Whatman® 903 protein saver cards (Sigma-Aldrich, Copenhagen, Denmark) and were allowed to dry for 1 to 3 days before they were eluted and tested for anti-HCV. HCV antibodies were determined by the Alinity i Anti-HCV assay (Abbott Diagnostics, Delkenheim, Germany). Anti-HCV positive samples were tested for the presence of HCV RNA by nucleic acid amplification testing using the cobas® MPX assay (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, German) run at the cobas® 6800 system (Roche Molecular system). The sensitivity when using DBS samples has previously been reported to be >95% [22 (link)].
DBS were obtained on Whatman® 903 protein saver cards (Sigma-Aldrich, Copenhagen, Denmark) and were allowed to dry for 1 to 3 days before they were eluted and tested for anti-HCV. HCV antibodies were determined by the Alinity i Anti-HCV assay (Abbott Diagnostics, Delkenheim, Germany). Anti-HCV positive samples were tested for the presence of HCV RNA by nucleic acid amplification testing using the cobas® MPX assay (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, German) run at the cobas® 6800 system (Roche Molecular system). The sensitivity when using DBS samples has previously been reported to be >95% [22 (link)].
Free full text: Click here
