Application of real-time PCR to quantify hepatitis B virus DNA in chronic carriers in The Gambia. Maimuna E. Mendy Steve Kaye Marianne van der Sande Pura Rayco-Solon Pauline A. Waight Deborah Shipton Dorka Awi Paul Snell Hilton Whittle Samuel J. McConkey 10779/rcsi.10780250.v1 https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/Application_of_real-time_PCR_to_quantify_hepatitis_B_virus_DNA_in_chronic_carriers_in_The_Gambia_/10780250 <p>BACKGROUND/AIM: The study aimed at developing a real-time quantitative PCR assay to monitor HBV serum virus load of chronic carriers enrolled in therapeutic trials.</p> <p>METHOD: Quantitative real-time PCR assay was carried out using SYBR-Green signal detection and primers specific to the S gene. Thermal cycling was performed in an ABi 5700 sequence detection system. The assay was calibrated against an international HBV DNA standard and inter- and intra-assay reproducibility determined. Levels of viral load were monitored for 1-year in lamivudine treated carriers. Correlation between HBV DNA levels and HBeAg sero-status was determined in untreated carriers.</p> <p>RESULTS: The qPCR assay showed good intra- and inter-assay reproducibility over a wide dynamic range (1.5 x 103 to 1.5 x 108 copies/mL) and correlated well with those from a commercial assay (r = 0.91, (p < 0.001). Viral load levels dropped dramatically but temporarily during and after a short course of lamivudine therapy. HBV DNA was a more reliable indicator of the presence of virus than HBe antigen and was detected in 77.0% (161/209) of HBeAg negative and in all HBeAg positive carriers.</p> <p>CONCLUSION: This method is reliable, accurate, and reproducible. HBV DNA Quantification by qPCR can be used to monitor the efficacy of HBV therapy and useful in understanding the natural history of HBV in an endemic area.</p> 2019-11-22 16:09:39 Adolescent Adult Age Factors Aged Antiviral Agents Carrier State Child Preschool DNA Primers DNA Viral Gambia Hepatitis B Antibodies Hepatitis B Surface Antigens Hepatitis B e Antigens Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B Chronic Humans Infant Lamivudine Male Middle Aged Polymerase Chain Reaction Reproducibility of Results Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Sensitivity and Specificity Viral Load