Analytical performance of four molecular platforms used for HIV-1, HBV and HCV viral load determinations. (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aretzweiler, Gudrun; Leuchter, Susanne; García-Álvarez, Mónica; Simon, Christian; Marins, Ed; Paxinos, Ellen; Canchola, Jesse; Delgado, Rafael; Frontzek, Andre
• Is Part Of: Expert review of molecular diagnostics. Volume 19:Number 10(2019)
• Page Start: 941
• Page End: 949
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: HIV -- HBV -- HCV -- viral load -- cobas -- Aptima -- VERIS; Molecular diagnosis -- Periodicals; 616.0758205
• DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1624162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7159

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Viral load (VL) quantification is important for the management of HBV, HCV, and HIV-1-infected patients. Several semi- or fully automated systems and assays are available that can be used to measure VL for these and other targets. Research design and methods : We assessed the accuracy, genotype/subtype inclusivity, and precision of four VL assays for three viral targets: cobas 4800 (Roche), cobas 6800 (Roche), Aptima (Hologic) and VERIS (Beckman), using WHO standards, cell culture supernatants and clinical samples. Results : Most results were close to expected values, except for significant under-quantification of HIV-1 group O, HBV genotype C, and D at high VL, and HCV genotype 3 by Aptima, and of HIV-1 CRF01_AE and group N and HCV genotype 3 by VERIS. Precision was comparable between tests except for VERIS HCV, which showed more variability. Aptima and cobas 6800 results agreed well with each other except HBV VL at lower VL (<10, 000 IU/mL) where Aptima results tended to be higher. Conclusions : Results from different VL assays may not always agree in certain subsets of patients. Clinicians should we aware of these findings when making treatment decisions.