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Rattanachaisit P, Suksawatamnuay S, Sriphoosanaphan S, Thanapirom K, Thaimai P, Siripon N, Sittisomwong S, Poovorawan Y, Komolmit P. Stability of hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA in plasma specimens under various temperatures and storage conditions. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11207. [PMID: 33954043 PMCID: PMC8052958 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) has gained increasing attention owing to its role in replication of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in HBV. This marker has the potential to be used in clinical programs aimed to manage HBV infections. However, several reports on HBV pgRNA levels in clinical cases have conflicting results. RNA is easily degraded when exposed to heat and other environmental stressors. However, the stability of HBV pgRNA, during blood sample collection before the standard automated quantification, has never been estimated. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of two different temperature conditions and storage durations on the stability of HBV pgRNA. Method Blood from forty patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, who also showed evidence of active HBV DNA replication, was collected and processed within 2 h of collection. Plasma from each patient was divided and stored at 4 °C and 25 °C (room temperature) for six different storage durations (0, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) and subsequently transferred to −80 °C for storage. The effect of multiple cycles of freezing and thawing of plasma at −20 °C or −80 °C was evaluated using samples from ten patients. Quantification of pgRNA from the samples was performed simultaneously, using the digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) method. The differences in pgRNA levels at baseline and each time point were compared using generalized estimating equation (GEE). A change greater than 0.5 log10 copies/mL of pgRNA is considered clinically significant. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata 16.0. Results The mean HBV pgRNA level in the initially collected plasma samples was 5.58 log10copies/mL (ranging from 3.08 to 8.04 log10 copies/mL). The mean pgRNA levels in samples stored for different time periods compared with the initial reference sample (time 0) significantly decreased. The levels of pgRNA for 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of storage reduced by −0.05 log10 copies/mL (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.095 to −0.005, p = 0.03), −0.075 log10 copies/mL (95% CI [−0.12 to −0.03], p = 0.001), −0.084 log10 copies/mL (95% CI [−0.13 to −0.039], p = < 0.001), and −0.120 log10 copies/mL (95% CI [−0.17 to −0.076], p = < 0.001), respectively. However, these changes were below 0.5 log10 copies/mL and thus were not clinically significant. Compared with the samples stored at 4 °C, there were no significant differences in pgRNA levels in samples stored at 25 °C for any of the storage durations (−0.01 log10 copies/mL; 95% CI [−0.708 to 0.689], p = 0.98). No significant difference in the levels of pgRNA was observed in the plasma samples, following four freeze-thaw cycles at −20 °C and −80 °C. Conclusion The plasma HBV pgRNA level was stable at 4 °C and at room temperature for at least 48 h and under multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Our results suggest that pgRNA is stable during the process of blood collection, and therefore results of pgRNA quantification are reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pakkapon Rattanachaisit
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirinporn Suksawatamnuay
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kessarin Thanapirom
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panarat Thaimai
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nipaporn Siripon
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sukanya Sittisomwong
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piyawat Komolmit
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.,Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Huang Y, Liu S, Liu H, Huang C, Yeh M, Dai C, Tsai P, Chen S, Yu M, Chuang W, Huang J. The acceptability of serum sample storage for hepatitis C viral load analysis in chronic hepatitis C patients. ADVANCES IN DIGESTIVE MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/aid2.13113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Chou Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Shu‐Fen Liu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Hung‐Yin Liu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Chung‐Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Ming‐Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Chia‐Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Pei‐Chien Tsai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Shinn‐Cherng Chen
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Ming‐Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Wan‐Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Jee‐Fu Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Hepatitis CentreKaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
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Wang X, Liu F, Jiang L, Bao Y, Xiao Y, Wang H. Use of chimeric influenza viruses as a novel internal control for diagnostic rRT-PCR assays. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:1667-1676. [PMID: 26474983 PMCID: PMC7080162 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-7042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is now widely used to detect viral pathogens in various human specimens. The application of internal controls to validate the entire process of these assays is necessary to prevent false-negative results caused by unexpected inhibition or inefficient extraction. In the present study, we describe a strategy to produce a stable internal control for rRT-PCR by packaging foreign RNA into influenza virions using plasmid-based reverse genetics technology. The envelope structure of influenza virus can effectively protect RNA segments from RNase digestion, which provides an advantage for its routine use as an internal control. Utilizing this approach, we successfully generated a recombinant influenza virus (rPR8-HCV) containing the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome. After inactivation and purification, the rPR8-HCV particles were demonstrated to be RNase resistant and stable at 4 °C for at least 252 days in human plasma, with no degradation even after being frozen and thawed multiple times. These results were reproducible in the COBAS TaqMan HCV test for 164 days. Moreover, the chimeric influenza virus particles could be easily produced in embryonated eggs and were noninfectious after inactivation treatment. Additionally, this strategy could also be adapted for real-time clinical applications of other RNA targets, providing a universal approach with broad clinical applications in rRT-PCR assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueliang Wang
- Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, 528 Hongshan Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Biological Products, 1262 West Yanan Road, Shanghai, 200052, China
| | - Lingli Jiang
- Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, 528 Hongshan Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Yun Bao
- Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, 528 Hongshan Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Yanqun Xiao
- Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, 528 Hongshan Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Hualiang Wang
- Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, 528 Hongshan Road, Shanghai, 200126, China.
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Comert F, Aktas E, Terzi HA, Kulah C, Ustundag Y, Kokturk F, Aydemir S. Evaluation of hepatitis C virus RNA stability in room temperature and multiple freeze–thaw cycles by COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 75:81-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Sener K, Yapar M, Bedir O, Gül C, Coskun O, Kubar A. Stability of hepatitis C virus RNA in blood samples by TaqMan real-time PCR. J Clin Lab Anal 2011; 24:134-8. [PMID: 20486191 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.20354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The storage conditions of blood samples for reliable results are very important in hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA amplification tests used in routine HCV analyses. According to many studies, storage conditions could affect the RNA stability for HCV RNA detection. We have studied HCV RNA stability in blood samples stored at 4 degrees C. Nineteen blood samples containing different HCV RNA levels were stored at 4 degrees C and they were then analyzed by TaqMAN real-time PCR method. HCV RNA levels remained almost stable (100%) at least for five weeks at this storage condition. However, among them, the stability period was up to 11 weeks in two of the samples. As with these findings, there was a slightly significant correlation between the positivity time and the beginning HCV RNA levels (r=0.474, P=0.040). We conclude that, blood samples can be stored at 4 degrees C for five weeks without any significant difference in detected HCV RNA level by using TaqMan real-time PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenan Sener
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
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Haber PS, Young MM, Dorrington L, Jones A, Kaldor J, De Kanzow S, Rawlinson WD. Transmission of hepatitis C virus by needle-stick injury in community settings. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 22:1882-5. [PMID: 17914964 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04568.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is predominantly transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, typically by sharing of needles by injecting drug users. Discarded needles could act as a vector for transmission of this infection. METHODS Two cases of HCV seroconversion following a needle-stick injury in a community setting were identified. The effects of specimen processing and storage conditions on detection of HCV RNA were assessed to provide information about the likelihood of discarded needles containing infectious HCV. RESULTS Consistent with a role for discarded needles in viral transmission, in vitro studies demonstrated that viral load declined by less than one log following storage for 24 h. CONCLUSION All needle-stick injuries should be promptly investigated by serology and HCV-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Haber
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Discipline of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Operskalski EA, Mosley JW, Tobler LH, Fiebig EW, Nowicki MJ, Mimms LT, Gallarda J, Phelps BH, Busch MP. HCV viral load in anti-HCV-reactive donors and infectivity for their recipients. Transfusion 2003; 43:1433-41. [PMID: 14507276 DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2003.00475.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An attempt has been made to determine the minimum level of HCV nucleic acid in donors associated with infection of recipients. This is important for considerations about assay sensitivity, use of minipool versus single-donation testing, and continued use of serologic testing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 5387 specimens from the Transfusion-Transmitted Viruses Study in the 1970s were screened for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). The outcome in recipients of seroreactive donations was examined for viremia and seroconversion. Present techniques for both groups included third-generation EIA, RIBA, quantitative RT-PCR assay, and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay. RESULTS A total of 156 recipients of components from 180 anti-HCV-reactive donors were identified. One-hundred seven of these were HCV-naïve before transfusion and received a single, confirmed seropositive unit; 94 (88%) became infected. Eighty-five recipients had donors whose HCV RNA level was quantifiable by RT-PCR (range, 182-3,310,000 copies/mL). Eighty-three (98%) seroconverted. Of the remaining 22, a total of 10 received units positive for HCV RNA detected only by TMA; all 10 recipients seroconverted. Of the remaining 12 recipients of anti-HCV+, TMA-negative units, 1 recipient seroconverted. CONCLUSIONS High rates of transmission were seen at all levels of viremia, and one donor transmitted with undetectable levels in the TMA assay. Current HCV RNA testing will therefore not interdict all infectious units, even with single-donation testing, and serologic screening must be continued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva A Operskalski
- Transfusion Viruses Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-9560, USA.
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de Moreau de Gerbehaye AI, Bodéus M, Robert A, Horsmans Y, Goubau P. Stable hepatitis C virus RNA detection by RT-PCR during four days storage. BMC Infect Dis 2002; 2:22. [PMID: 12366870 PMCID: PMC130053 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-2-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2002] [Accepted: 10/04/2002] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suboptimal specimen processing and storage conditions of samples which contain hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA may result in a decline of HCV RNA concentration or false-negative results in the detection of HCV RNA in serum. We evaluated the stability of HCV RNA in serum and clotted blood samples stored at room temperature or at 4 degrees C for 4 days with the aim of optimizing the standard procedures of processing and storage of samples. METHODS Blood from five HCV RNA positive patients was collected in tubes with and without separator gel, centrifuged 1 or 6 hours after collection. Samples were then left 6, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h at room temperature (21.5 - 25.4 degrees C) or at 4 degrees C before determining their HCV RNA level using the COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR Test, vs 2.0 (Roche Diagnostic Systems). RESULTS The logarithm of the HCV RNA level measurements remained within a 0.3 value of the means for 4 days at both temperatures (room temperature or 4 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that blood samples may be collected and aliquoted within 6 h of collection and can be stored at 4 degrees C for 72 hours as proposed by the manufacturer without significant differences in measured HCV RNA level. Our results indicate that lapses in this scheme may still yield reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monique Bodéus
- Department of Virology, Université Catholique de Louvain et Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Annie Robert
- Department of Epidemiology, Université Catholique de Louvain et Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Horsmans
- Department of Gastro-enterology, Université Catholique de Louvain et Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Goubau
- Department of Virology, Université Catholique de Louvain et Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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Comanor L, Anderson F, Ghany M, Perrillo R, Heathcote EJ, Sherlock C, Zitron I, Hendricks D, Gordon SC. Transcription-mediated amplification is more sensitive than conventional PCR-based assays for detecting residual serum HCV RNA at end of treatment. Am J Gastroenterol 2001; 96:2968-72. [PMID: 11693334 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.04669.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) undergoing antiviral therapy, sustained virologic response is suggested by viral clearance by end of treatment (EOT). Viral clearance is defined by nondetection of serum HCV RNA, usually by qualitative PCR-based assays with limits of detection ranging from 100 to 1000 copies/ml. However, some individuals relapse after achieving apparent viral clearance by EOT. These individuals may have low levels of viremia not detected by current PCR methods. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether the Bayer HCV RNA Qualitative Assay, which employs Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA) and detects 50 HCV RNA copies/ml, could detect residual serum HCV RNA in patients who achieved apparent viral clearance by EOT and subsequently relapsed. METHODS Samples were obtained at EOT (wk 24 or 48) and follow-up (wk 24-26 posttreatment) from 97 patients treated for HCV (78 relapsing patients, 19 sustained responders). All samples in which HCV RNA was not detected by PCR were tested in a blinded manner for HCV RNA by the TMA-based assay. RESULTS HCV RNA was detected by the TMA-based assay in 27 (34.6%) EOT and 76 (97.4%) follow-up samples from relapsing patients, but not in any of the EOT or follow-up samples from sustained responders. CONCLUSION Residual serum HCV RNA was detected by the TMA-based assay in EOT samples from 34.6% of patients that had achieved apparent viral clearance by PCR. The detection of HCV RNA by the TMA-based assay could help redefine EOT response and assist in the antiviral management of HCV infection.
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