GEMHEP multicenter quality control study of PCR detection of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA in serum

J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Dec;35(12):3298-300. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.12.3298-3300.1997.

Abstract

PCR is, to date, the only available tool for the detection of GB virus C (GBV-C) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNAs. Twenty-two French laboratories participated in a quality control study to assess the sensitivity and specificity of their procedures. The panel included 13 positive controls and 7 negative controls. The laboratories used either in-house PCR techniques adapted from the literature or partly standardized commercial tests. Three laboratories performed faultlessly with the entire panel. Most laboratories had excellent specificity (100% in 20 of 22 laboratories). Sensitivity was acceptable (85 to 100%) in 15 centers and insufficient (38 to 77%) in 7. As with nonstandardized in-house PCR, the commercial assays gave discrepant performances in different laboratories. These results suggest that laboratories willing to use PCR for detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA for research or diagnostic purposes should participate in multicenter quality control trials.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Flaviviridae / genetics*
  • Flaviviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology*
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Quality Control
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Virology / methods
  • Virology / standards*
  • Virology / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • RNA, Viral