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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Dec 1997, 3298-3300, Vol 35, No. 12
Copyright © 1997 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

GEMHEP multicenter quality control study of PCR detection of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA in serum [In Process Citation]

M Bogard, C Buffet-Janvresse, JF Cantaloube, P Biagini, G Duverlie, S Castelain, J Izopet, M Dubois, C Defer, I Lepot, J Coste, P Marcellin, M Martinot-Peignoux, P Halfon, V Gerolami, L Frangeul, JM Pawlotsky, F Roudot-Thoraval, E Dussaix, P Loiseau, N Ravera, P Lewin, J Lamoril, J Lerable and P Lebon
Centre Hospitalier, Meaux, France.

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.

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