Mini review: Current molecular methods for the detection and quantification of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The detection of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is vital for controlling the spread of HIV, HBV, and HCV to uninfected individuals. Considering that these viruses have high replication rates and are undetectable by serological markers, early detection upon transmission is crucial. Various nucleic acid assays have been developed for diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring of infections. in the past decade, rapid and sensitive molecular techniques such as PCR have revolutionized the detection of a variety of infectious viruses, including HIV, HCV, and HBV. Here, we describe two of the most commonly used licensed methods for the detection and quantification of HIV, HCV, and HBV: the cobas TaqScreen MPX (PCR) test and the Tigris System. We used transcription-mediated amplification to review and compare the development and efficiency of these technologies. (C) 2014 the Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundacao Oswaldo Ramos (FOR)Fundo de Auxilio aos Docentes e Alunos (FADA)Fed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilColsan Assoc Beneficente Coleta Sangue, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc