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Review
. 2015 Nov 12;4(4):323-42.
doi: 10.5501/wjv.v4.i4.323.

Update on hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis

Livia Melo Villar  1 , Helena Medina Cruz  1 , Jakeline Ribeiro Barbosa  1 , Cristianne Sousa Bezerra  1 , Moyra Machado Portilho  1 , Letícia de Paula Scalioni  1
Affiliations
Review

Update on hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis

Livia Melo Villar et al. World J Virol. .

Abstract

Viral hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) are responsible for the most of chronic liver disease worldwide and are transmitted by parenteral route, sexual and vertical transmission. One important measure to reduce the burden of these infections is the diagnosis of acute and chronic cases of HBV and HCV. In order to provide an effective diagnosis and monitoring of antiviral treatment, it is important to choose sensitive, rapid, inexpensive, and robust analytical methods. Primary diagnosis of HBV and HCV infection is made by using serological tests for detecting antigens and antibodies against these viruses. In order to confirm primary diagnosis, to quantify viral load, to determine genotypes and resistance mutants for antiviral treatment, qualitative and quantitative molecular tests are used. In this manuscript, we review the current serological and molecular methods for the diagnosis of hepatitis B and C.

Keywords: Diagnostic methods; Genotypes; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; Molecular diagnostic techniques; Serological tests.

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