Evaluation of hepatitis B patients under treatment with nucleoside analogues by COBAS TaqMan HBV Test

Abstract

COBAS TaqMan HBV Test (real-time PCR method) is a new method to detect HBV-DNA with higher sensitivity and broader range of quantification than conventional methods. We evaluated HBV-DNA load by COBAS TaqMan HBV Test in comparison with Amplicor HBV Monitor Test in chronic hepatitis B patients undergoing administration of nucleoside analogue. Forty chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited. In 33 patients with less than 2.6 logcopy/mL by Amplicor HBV Monitor, Taq Man HBV Test showed less than 1.8 logcopy/mL of HBV-DNA and no amplified reaction signal in 22 patients, whereas amplified reaction signal was detected in 11 patients (33.3%). COBAS TaqMan HBV Test is more sensitive and preferable for evaluation of HBV viral load in anti viral therapy. © 2008 The Japan Society of Hepatology.