The aim of this study was to determine in @entity1 with @entity3531 genotype 2 or 3 the performance at week 4 of two assays with different sensitivities for @entity3531 RNA detection, for the prediction of SVR and stratification for treatment duration (14 and 24 weeks). Recruitment was from two trials comparing 14 and 24 weeks treatment to @entity1 with rapid virological response (RVR) (n = 550). RVR was originally defined as @entity3531 RNA <50 IU/ml at week 4. @entity1 with an available frozen plasma sample drawn at week 4 and with follow-up data week 24 post-treatment were included (n = 429). @entity3531 -RNA was prospectively measured with COBAS Amplicor V2, Roche (CA) (lower detection limit 50 IU/ml) and retrospectively assessed with VERSANT @entity3531 -RNA Qualitative Assay, Siemens (TMA) (lower limit detection 10 IU/ml). Genotype 3 was present in 80% and genotype 2 in 20%. A SVR was achieved in 82%. At week 4 @entity3531 -RNA was undetectable in 74.8% and 63% of serum samples tested with CA and TMA, respectively. CA undetectable/TMA positive was observed in 61/341 (18%) of the samples. In genotype 3 @entity1 a relapse was seen in 9% of the @entity1 with both CA and TMA undetectable and in 25% of the @entity1 who were CA undetectable/TMA positive (p = 0.006). In @entity1 allocated to 14 weeks treatment a relapse was observed in 11% of TMA undetectable @entity1 and 26% of TMA positive (p = 0.031). In genotype 2 @entity1 treated for 14 weeks relapse was observed in 6% of the @entity1 with both CA and TMA undetectable week 4. Assays with high sensitivity for @entity3531 RNA identifies @entity1 at week 4 with high risk of virological relapse. We recommend that @entity1 with genotype 3 and detectable @entity3531 RNA at levels below 50 IU/ml do not receive truncated therapy with pegIFN and @entity5371 .

The Usefulness of Defining Rapid Virological Response by a Very Sensitive Assay (TMA) during Treatment of XXXX Genotype 2/3 Infection.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'Patients'] @entity5371 :: ('MESH:D012254', 'Chemical') :: ['ribavirin'] @entity3531 :: ('11096', 'Species') :: ['HCV']
@entity3531 :: (11096,Species) :: ['HCV']
