A Novel Diagnostic Target In The Hepatitis C Virus Genome

Main Category: Liver Disease / Hepatitis
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 11 Feb 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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In original research published in PLoS Medicine, Christian Drosten of the University of Bonn Institute of Virology and colleagues report the development and validation of a new blood test for hepatitis C virus.

The test detects a part of the viral genetic material called the 3' X-tail element, which shows only a low degree of variation among different strains of the virus from throughout the world. In this publication, the researchers make the details of their unpatented prototype test openly available, thereby increasing its potential for clinical use in developing countries.

Citation:
Drexler JF, Kupfer B, Petersen N, Grotto RMT, Rodrigues SMC, et al. (2009)
"A novel diagnostic target in the hepatitis C virus genome."
PLoS Med 6(2): e1000031. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000031
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About PLoS Medicine

PLoS Medicine is an open access, freely available international medical journal. It publishes original research that enhances our understanding of human health and disease, together with commentary and analysis of important global health issues. For more information, visit www.plosmedicine.org

About the Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit organization of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. For more information, visit www.plos.org

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