New Subgenotyping and Consensus Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays for Hepatitis A Outbreak Surveillance

J Clin Microbiol. 2019 Aug 26;57(9):e00500-19. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00500-19. Print 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Laboratory surveillance plays an important role in the detection and control of hepatitis A outbreaks and requires the application of rapid and accurate molecular diagnostic tools for hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA detection, subgenotype identification, and sequence-based genotyping. We describe the development and validation of a triplex real-time, reverse transcription-PCR (triplex rRT-PCR) assay for the identification and discrimination of HAV subgenotypes IA, IB, and IIIA and a singleplex rRT-PCR assay designed to detect all HAV genotypes infecting humans. Overall, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the new assays were >97% for serum and plasma specimens collected during unrelated outbreaks of HAV in California and Michigan compared to a nested RT-PCR genotyping assay and the ISO 15216-1 rRT-PCR method for HAV detection. The new assays will permit the rapid detection of HAV RNA and discrimination among subgenotypes IA, IB, and IIIA in serum and plasma specimens, which will strengthen public health surveillance efforts for HAV outbreak detection and response.

Keywords: genotyping; hepatitis A virus; outbreak; public health; reverse transcription-PCR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • California / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Genotype
  • Genotyping Techniques / methods*
  • Hepatitis A / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis A / virology
  • Hepatitis A virus / classification*
  • Hepatitis A virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis A virus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Molecular Epidemiology / methods
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity