Biomedical subjects

S Yagi

Publications and source records attributed to S Yagi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Jostra Rota Flow RF-30 pump system: a new centrifugal blood pump for cardiopulmonary bypass.

The Rota Flow pump is a fully integrated centrifugal pump system in the Jostra heart-lung machine HL-20 with features such as a less friction mono-pivot bearing system, sealless pump housing, and spiral housing. To evaluate its biocompatibility, antithrombogenesity, and hemolysis, we used it as a main pump of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases and compared it with the BioMedicus pump. From February 1999 to May 1999, 30 consecutive patients underwent CABG under conventional CPB. Fifteen cases were supported by the Rota Flow RF-32 (Group R), and the remaining 15 were pumped by the BioMedicus BP-80 (Group B). In both groups, the flow rate was controlled in an equivalent value. Blood sampling was as follows: preoperative, 60 min after, postoperative Days (POD) 0, 1, and 2. We evaluated the plasma free hemoglobin (fHb) as the hemolysis parameter, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor IV (PF-4) as the platelet deterioration index, C3, C4, and CH50 as complement activation, coagulation function, fibrinolytic factor and thrombomodulin, nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin as endothelial deterioration. This system was very easily and simply controlled and had excellent response. Perioperative laboratory data were not markedly changed in either group. The Rota Flow demonstrated equivalent value of biocompatibility and hemolysis as compared with the BioMedicus BP-80, which is a standard centrifugal pump. After pumping, no thrombus formation or pivot wear was observed inside the pump. This atraumatic, small centrifugal pump is suitable not only for CPB but also for long-term circulatory support.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of a new enzyme immunoassay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen with clinical sensitivity approximating that of genomic amplification of HCV RNA.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical performance of a new enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen in comparison with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 310 patients with acute or chronic hepatitis C, and 132 HCV-negative controls were studied. Chemiluminescence EIA with monoclonal anti-HCV core antigen was used, and qualitative and quantitative commercial RT-PCRs and an in-house nested RT-PCR were performed. Compared with nested RT-PCR, the core antigen assay showed 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity in 75 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 132 controls. HCV core antigen was positive in 16 (94%) of 17 patients with acute hepatitis C at initial consultation. In 3 persons prospectively followed, core antigen was detected in the first available (1-3 weeks) post-transfusion sample. In 167 anti-HCV-positive individuals, 129 (77%) were viremic; core antigen was detected in 126 (98%) compared with 129 (100%) for nested RT-PCR and 121 (94%) for the commercial RT-PCR. In 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alfa, the concentration of core antigen before treatment was significantly (P <.002) lower in patients with sustained response than in nonresponders. All responders had a sustained loss of core antigen, whereas all nonresponders remained core antigen positive. The concentrations of HCV core antigen and HCV RNA correlated significantly (n = 48, r =.627, P <.001). In conclusion, the HCV core antigen assay is useful for the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C, and for predicting and monitoring the effect of interferon alfa treatment.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Effects of allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa on the severity of rhinovirus 16 cold.

BACKGROUND: Despite the strong association of asthma exacerbations with rhinovirus (RV) infection, inoculation of asthmatic subjects with RV only causes small changes in lower airway function, suggesting that RV infection is not itself sufficient to provoke asthma exacerbations. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test whether allergic inflammation increases the airway response to RV infection. METHODS: We compared the severity of RV type 16-induced colds in 2 groups of 10 subjects with allergic rhinitis. One group received 3 nasal challenges with allergen and the other received challenges with placebo over the week before nasal inoculation with RV type 16 (4000 tissue culture infective dose 50% per subject). Subjects kept symptom diaries and were assessed with spirometry, methacholine challenge, nasal lavage, and sputum induction on days 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, and 30 after inoculation. RESULTS: The 2 groups developed equal rates of infection (90%), similar cold symptoms (Jackson score median [interquartile range], 11 [6-33] vs 20.5 [6-42] for allergen and placebo groups respectively, P =.54), and similar changes in cellular profile and in IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in nasal lavage fluid and induced sputum after RV inoculation. The incubation period was significantly longer in the allergen group (2.5 [1-5.5] vs 1 [1-1] day, P =.03) and the duration of cold symptoms was shorter (5 [4-7] vs 8.5 [6-10] days, P =.008). We also found an inverse correlation between the percent of eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid before inoculation and the severity of cold symptoms (r = -0.58, P =. 008). CONCLUSION: In subjects with allergic rhinitis, augmented nasal allergic inflammation before inoculation with RV type 16 does not worsen the severity of cold symptoms but delays their onset and shortens their duration.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

A novel secretory protein produced by rat spongiotrophoblast.

The placenta secretes various factors in stage- and cell-specific manners. We have identified a cDNA encoding a novel protein with 124 amino acids, which was named spongiotrophoblast specific protein (SSP). SSP is highly homologous to mouse 4311, showing 81% and 59% similarity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that SSP mRNA was first detected on Day 14 of pregnancy, peaked on Day 16, and remained elevated until term. In situ hybridization analysis showed that SSP mRNA was specifically expressed in spongiotrophoblast cells of Day 20 placenta but not in Day 12 placenta. No expression was detected from the differentiated or undifferentiated rat choriocarcinoma Rcho-1 cell line. Native SSP was detected as a 19-kDa molecule by Western blotting in cell extracts prepared from the junctional zone. SSP was predicted to be a secretory protein, because 1) a hydropathy test revealed that SSP contained an N-terminal hydrophobic region and 2) native SSP was also detected in the cultured media of junctional zone explants. To further investigate a potential signal peptide of this protein, sets of recombinant SSP were generated using a COS7 transfection system. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of secreted recombinant SSP confirmed that the N-terminal 17 amino acids had been cleaved to produce a secretory protein. Thus, we have identified and cloned a novel secretory protein, SSP, which is specifically expressed by rat spongiotrophoblast cells during the latter half of pregnancy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Development of anti-influenza drugs: II. Improvement of oral and intranasal absorption and the anti-influenza activity of stachyflin derivatives.

The in-vivo anti-influenza-virus activity of Stachyflin derivatives (III and its phosphate ester, III-Phos), a new class of haemagglutinin fusion inhibitor, and the improvement of their absorption after oral or intranasal administration were studied in mice, rats, and ferrets. The absorption of III in PEG 4000 and III-Phos aqueous solution increased about three and four fold in AUC after oral administration to uninfected mice compared with that of 0.5% HPMC (hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose) suspension. Using a mouse influenza virus infection model, significant anti-influenza-virus activity was observed in infected mice treated orally with these compounds dissolved in PEG 4000 or distilled water, respectively, but not in mice treated with 0.5% HPMC. The in-vivo anti-influenza-virus activity in ferrets, a good model for influenza virus infection in man, was also studied. Although the concentration of III in plasma was above the IC50 against the influenza virus strain used for 6h after the oral administration of III in PEG 400 to uninfected ferrets, no in-vivo anti-influenza-virus activity was observed at the same dosage given 4 times daily for 3 days. The intranasal administration of III-Phos, which was expected to have a more notable in-vivo anti-influenza-virus activity, was examined. III-Phos, whose intranasal absorption had been improved by the modification of III with phosphate ester in rats, inhibited viral replication in the nasal cavity and suppressed influenza-virus-induced fever when administered intranasally to infected ferrets. This study demonstrates that intranasally administered compounds with anti-influenza-virus activity must permeate the nasal membranes to produce their anti-influenza-virus effect.

Absorption↗

PubMed2000

[Relapse of seizure after withdrawal of antiepileptic drug treatment in childhood epilepsy: age-dependent factors].

In 556 epileptic children, clinical and encephalographic factors concerning the discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs (AED) were studied, with emphasis on age-related factors. Seizures relapsed in 80 patients (14.4%), the incidence being high in idiopathic generalized epilepsy with onsets in adolescence or adulthood (juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, grand mal on awakening), symptomatic partial epilepsy and symptomatic generalized epilepsy. The age distribution at the relapse showed two peaks; 9 to 11 and 17 to 19 years. The first peak represented patients with school-age onset epilepsies, and the second those with the adolescent or adult onset epilepsies. The age at discontinuation of AED depended on each epileptic syndrome, and the relapse rate was significantly higher when the AED was discontinued after adolescence. In 56 patients, seizure relapsed during the withdrawal phase or less than 1 year after the discontinuation. The type of the relapsing seizure was the same as the previous ones. On the other hand, in 16 out of 24 patients whose relapse occurred 1 year or more after the discontinuation, the seizure type was different from the previous ones. These results suggest the relevance of age-dependent factors to the discontinuation of therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Mid-term results of ATS open pivot bileaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valve.

We investigated mid-term results of the patients with an ATS bileaflet valve in our institution. In the past 6 years, 69 patients received valve replacement with an ATS valve. We assessed the changes of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in the hospital, and the valve's closing sound. The serum LDH level had almost normalized one week postoperatively and they have maintained normal levels since then. According to the questionnaire about the valvular sound at a random period after surgery, it was unnoticeable in 61 (88.4%) of the patients with ATS valve. In the 8 patients (12.6%) who recognized the valve sound, 7 of them were reoperation cases. As to the frequency analysis for the valve's closing sound, the sound peak was indicated at around 1.2 kHz in the patients with ATS valves. In patients with St. Jude Medical (SJM) valves, it appeared not only around 1.2 kHz but also around 2 to 7 kHz. Postoperative cerebral infarction was complicated in one patient. Mortality occurred in 4 (5.7%) of the patients with ATS valves. The follow up periods were from one to 66 months. Thromboembolic event free and actuarial survival rate in the patients with ATS valves were 98.6% and 94.2%, respectively. These results indicated that the ATS valve is considered to be a safe valve and mid-term follow-up shows excellent results in terms of the patients quality of life.

Female↗

PubMed2000

Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve: preoperative diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Two cases of severe aortic regurgitation were treated surgically. Both patients had a quadricuspid aortic valve, which was diagnosed preoperatively by aortography and/or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). In the first patient, both aortic and mitral valve replacement were performed with an ATS prosthetic valve. In the second patient, only aortic valve replacement was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful in both cases. Quadricuspid aortic valve is relatively rare. We discuss the preoperative diagnosis of quadricuspid aortic valve, as well as reviewing the relevant literature.

Aortic Valve↗

PubMed2000

De novo infection of hepatitis B virus in patients with orthotopic liver transplantation: analysis by determining complete sequence of the genome.

De novo infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs after liver transplantation from donors with HBV markers that suggest past infection. In the present study, the complete nucleotide sequences of HBV derived from a donor and recipients were determined to determine the clinical and virological characteristics. A total of 57 donor-recipient pairs, which underwent living-related orthotopic liver transplantation, were enrolled in the present study; all were negative for HBsAg before transplantation. HBV DNA was tested in serum, liver tissue, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleotide sequence of HBV was determined based on PCR products and the phylogenetic analysis. De novo infection of HBV was found in 3 of the 57 recipients. Anti-HBc was positive in all donors of 3 recipients with the de novo infection but was positive only in 4 donors of the remaining 54 recipients (P=0.001). HBV DNA was detected in the liver but not in the serum or PBMCs in donor 3 whose recipient developed de novo HBV infection. The nucleotide sequence covering entire genome of HBV (3,215 bases) derived from the liver of donor 3 had a homology of 99.8-100% with that derived from the serum of corresponding recipient 3. The strain of recipient 3 showed the closest association with that of the donor 3 by phylogenetic analysis. Complete sequences from two recipients with de novo HBV infection including recipient 3 conserved the basic organisation of HBV genome. Analysis of the entire nucleotide sequence of HBV genome proved that HBV existed in the liver of the donor with anti-HBc, and it caused de novo infection in the corresponding recipient.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometric analysis of phospholipids in Drosophila melanogaster.

Direct determination of the phospholipid components in adult Drosophila melanogaster was carried out by using fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-MS/MS) of both the positive and negative ions. Approximately 50 molecular species were detected, including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). Eight PE, one PC and three PS molecular species were identified. Some variations with age and a few differences among the D. melanogaster strains in the PE and PC molecular species were found. There was a difference in the fatty acid structure of a 741 Da PE molecular species between the wild-types and a mutant strain (EthAR201) which requires a higher concentration of diethylether for anesthesia than the wild-types; in the mutant sn-1-oleoyl-2-linoleoyl (18:1/18:2) but in the wild-types sn-1-linoleoyl-2-oleoyl (18:2/18:1) were speculated. This suggests that this technique will be useful for the screening of phospholipid molecular species mutation.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Lymphoepithelioma-like esophageal carcinoma: report of a case.

We herein report the rare case of a patient suffering from lymphoepithelioma-like poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The patient was a 74-year-old woman in whom an esophageal tumor was found during an operation for thyroid cancer. After performing a subtotal thyroidectomy and cervical esophagectomy, esophageal reconstruction was performed using a free jejunal graft. Based on the results of the pathological examination, the esophageal tumor was diagnosed to be primary lymphoepithelioma-like esophageal cancer, not metastasis of either unknown nasopharyngeal cancer or thyroid cancer. Since surgery, she has survived postoperatively for more than 4 years with no evidence of recurrent disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Results of laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy has been demonstrated to be technically feasible and safe for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), hereditary spherocytosis, and Hodgkin's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 76 consecutive patients with chronic ITP who were admitted to our hospital from 1968 to 1997 and underwent splenectomy; 35 patients underwent a laparoscopic splenectomy, and 41 had open surgery. RESULTS: Laparoscopic splenectomy involved minimal incision, and a significantly lower frequency of analgesia was required for postoperative abdominal pain (1.4 versus 3.3); postoperative hospital stay was shorter (9.6 versus 20.1 days, P <0.05). Operative time was significantly longer for the laparoscopic surgery (204.5 versus 99.8 minutes, P <0.01), but blood loss was less (154.4 versus 511.7 g, P <0.01). During the present study (range 3.8 to 80 months), accumulative nonrecurrence rate was 67.9% in 5 years after surgery, which is similar to that of the previous open splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy can become an alternative therapeutic modality in the treatment of ITP.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Diagnosis and treatment of priapism: experience with 5 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Priapism is a rare disease, but needs early intervention and appropriate management. We present 5 cases, 2 of nonischemic high-flow priapism and 3 of ischemic low-flow priapism. METHODS: Focusing on the differential diagnosis of priapism between the nonischemic high-flow type and the ischemic low-flow type, we reviewed the medical records of 5 patients. RESULTS: Of the examinations carried out, cavernosography, blood gas analysis of cavernosal blood, color Doppler ultrasound, and internal pudendal arteriography were useful in differentiating the type of priapism. Complete detumescence of the penis in 2 cases of high-flow priapism and 3 cases of low-flow priapism was achieved by selective embolization with gelform and by glandular-cavernosal shunting, respectively. No recurrence was observed in any patient, and postoperative erectile function was preserved in 4 patients and is unknown in 1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that angiographic studies provide the most reliable information for the differentiation of the type of priapism. However, color flow Doppler ultrasound and cavernosal blood gas determination can obviate the need for angiographic studies and are noninvasive. Although conservative treatment or even expectant management may be feasible with high-flow priapism, aggressive treatment should be carried out for low-flow priapism immediately after initial treatment fails to achieve detumescence of the penis. Selective embolization of the internal pudendal artery may be the treatment of choice for patients with high-flow priapism.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Benidipine stimulates nitric oxide synthase and improves coronary circulation in hypertensive rats.

We evaluated the effects of long-term treatment with benidipine, a long-acting calcium antagonist, on endothelial cell-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and eNOS mRNA expression in the left ventricle (LV) and its relation to coronary flow reserve, and microvascular remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR: 2K-1C Goldblatt). Benidipine (5 mg/kg/day) was given to RHR (B-RHR, n = 11) for 6 weeks. Vehicle-treated RHR (U-RHR, n = 11) and age-matched sham-operated rats (ShC, n = 11) served as control group. Coronary flow reserve was measured in conscious rats using colored microspheres. Fifty-micrometer slices of the LV were incubated with L-arginine to measure nitrite production using the Griess method and eNOS mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. An increased blood pressure in RHR was significantly decreased by benidipine. Nitrite production and eNOS mRNA expression in the LV of U-RHR was significantly lower than that of ShC. This suppression of nitrite production and eNOS mRNA expression was significantly reversed in B-RHR. U-RHR demonstrated a significant decrease in coronary flow reserve and capillary density, and a significant increase in wall-to-lumen ratio, perivascular fibrosis, myocardial fibrosis, and myocyte cross-sectional area. These impaired factors were improved significantly by benidipine. These findings suggest that benidipine therapy may increase nitrite production and eNOS mRNA expression not only by lessening the endothelial damage by the reduction of blood pressure levels, but also by the stimulation of NOS activity and eNOS mRNA, and this increased NOS activity and eNOS mRNA expression may play a role in the amelioration of coronary flow reserve and microvascular remodeling.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

High-level expression, purification, and some properties of a recombinant cephalosporin-C deacetylase.

To maximize the expression of the cephalosporin-C deacetylase (CAH) gene isolated from Bacillus subtilis SHS 0133 in Escherichia coli, a series of expression plasmids was constructed with various spacings between the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the ATG initiation codon. As the most efficient expression plasmid, we selected pCAH431, which has the trp promoter, a replication origin derived from pAT153, and a spacing of 13 nucleotides. E. coli JM103 with pCAH431 produced 4.9 g of CAH per liter on cultivation at 37 degrees C for 20 h in a 30-l jar fermentor. Since the amount of CAH reached about 70% of the total protein in the soluble fraction of the cells, and CAH was recovered from the cell extracts in an active form, the CAH was purified easily to homogeneity by only one column chromatography step. Twenty grams of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid was completely converted to deacetyl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid, a starting material for cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride, by 12 mg of the purified enzyme without significant appearance of by-products. Thus, our expression and purification system has made the industrial production of CAH possible.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Development of anti-influenza virus drugs I: improvement of oral absorption and in vivo anti-influenza activity of Stachyflin and its derivatives.

PURPOSE: Stachyflin and its derivatives which are active against the influenza virus in vitro, were studied to improve their reduced in vivo activity after oral administration by chemical modification and some vehicles. METHODS: The solubility was examined for different vehicles. The improvement of gastrointestinal absorption was evaluated by the plasma concentration after oral administration to mice or the in situ loop method with rats. The in vivo anti-influenza activity was examined using mice infected with the influenza virus and evaluated based on the virus titer in the lung by TCID50. RESULTS: PEG 400 showed the highest solubility of Stachyflin and its derivative among the vehicles studied. While no viral inhibition was found in the lung after oral administration of 0.5% HPMC suspension of Stachyflin, in vivo anti-influenza virus activity was found with the PEG 400 solution. The absorption of Stachyflin by PEG 400 showed about a fifty-fold increase in AUC compared with that of 0.5% HPMC suspension. Improving the oral absorption of Stachyflin led to an increase in the in vivo anti-influenza virus activity. When the Stachyflin derivative in PEG 4000 was administered orally, there was more enhancement of the oral absorption than with PEG 400. When the aqueous solution of the phosphate ester prodrugs of Stachyflin and its derivative was administered orally, the absorption of the parent compound was improved and in vivo anti-influenza virus activity was found. CONCLUSIONS: When Stachyflin and its derivatives were administered orally to mice with a solution in PEG and an aqueous solution of their phosphate ester, their oral absorption was improved and in vivo anti-influenza virus activity was observed.

Absorption↗

PubMed1999

Cytokine and endothelial damage in pulsatile and nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass.

Recently, several types of centrifugal pumps have been widely used as the main pumps for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, according to the results of our experimental studies, after cardiogenic shock, pulsatile flow was effective in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs, especially those of the liver and kidney. To estimate the effectiveness of pulsatility during CPB, cytokine and endothelin and other metabolic parameters were measured in clinical pulsatile and nonpulsatile CPB cases. From March to May 1997, CPB was performed in 18 elective cases (14 ischemic and 4 valvular disease). In 9 cases, pulsatile perfusion was achieved by the Jostra HL20, which is a newly developed CPB pump (Group P). A nonpulsatile centrifugal pump was used in 9 patients (Group NP). In both groups, as chemical and metabolic mediators, interleukin-8 (IL-8), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and plasma free hemoglobin were measured before and during CPB, and 0.5, 3, 6, 9, 18 h after weaning from CPB. This pulsatile CPB pump could be very simply and easily controlled and could easily produce pulsatile flow. There were no significant differences in CPB time (CPBT), aortic cross clamp time (ACCT), mean aortic pressure, or pump flow during CPB between the both groups. The ET-1 level of Group P was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group NP 9 h after CPB weaning. The IL-8 level of Group P also showed a lower value than that of Group NP. As for plasma free hemoglobin, there were no significant differences between the groups. These results suggested that even in conventional CPB, pulsatility was effective to reduce endothelial damage and suppress cytokine activation. It may play a important role in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs during CPB.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Development of a simple and highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay for hepatitis C virus core antigen.

A highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (HCVcAg) was developed, and its performance was compared with that of the AMPLICOR HCV test (Roche Molecular Systems). The developed one-step pretreatment method, 30-min incubation of the specimen with a solution containing three different types of detergents (Triton X-100, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate [CHAPS], and sodium dodecyl sulfate), does not require any special device. Because the interfering anti-core antibody in the sample was sufficiently inactivated by the pretreatment, HCVcAg in the sample could be detected. The immunoreactivity on gel filtration was shifted from void fractions to those corresponding to the molecular mass range from 20 to 25 kDa, which is equal to the estimated molecular mass of HCVcAg, after the pretreatment. By the recovery test with HCVcAg-positive serum, the recovery rate was 93.5 to 106. 5%. There was no interference with the EIA by anticoagulants or blood components in the serum. When the cutoff value was tentatively set at 0.5 mU/ml based on the distribution of healthy subjects' sera, the sera of all healthy subjects (n = 125) and patients with hepatitis B (n = 50) were negative. HCVcAg was detected in sera from 57 of 73 individuals (78.1%) with anti-HCV antibody. Similarly, HCV RNA was detected in sera from 59 individuals (80.8%) with the AMPLICOR HCV as the qualitative test (AMPLICOR HCV test) and in sera from 54 individuals (74.0%) by the AMPLICOR HCV Monitor as the quantitative test (AMPLICOR Monitor test). Concentrations of HCVcAg and HCV RNA (measured by the AMPLICOR Monitor test) correlated significantly (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). On seroconversion panels, HCVcAg was detected during the early stage of infection, when anti-HCV antibodies had not been produced. This assay for HCVcAg is simpler than assays for HCV RNA based on gene technology and shows specificity and sensitivity equivalent to those of the AMPLICOR HCV test.

Antibodies↗