Fluorescent reverse transcription-PCR assay for determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes

Objective To analyze the genotype of blood borne hepatitis C virus (HCV) using fluorescent reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method.Methods Fluorescent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of HCV RNA was used for the genotype determination of 118 serum samples from HCV patients and compared with sequncing assay of 98 clinical samples from HBV patients checked as negative control.Results Fluorescent RT-PCR result from 118 samples of HCV patients showed 79 (66.9%) were genotype 1, 29 (24.6%) were genotype 2, 8 (6.8%) were genotype 1 and genotype 2 mixed, While 2 (1.7%) samples were non-reactive because HCV RNA was less than 1×103IU/ml.Sequence assay showed, 81 (68.4%) were genotype 1, 29 (24.6%) were genotype 2, 6 (5.1%) were genotype 1 and genotype 2 mixed, 2 (1.7%) were non-reactive also.In control group the samples from HBV patients were negative for HCV genotype detection.Conclusion The fluorescent RT-PCR was sensitive, specific, repeatable and convenient for HCV genotyping and could be used for clinical genotyping.