COLD-PCR for early detection of hepatitis B virus antiviral drug resistance mutations
DKH Wong, J Fung, CL Lai, MF Yuen
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Key Messages
1. Co-amplification at lower denaturation temperature-PCR (COLD-PCR) was developed for early detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug resistance mutations.
2. With a simple alteration of denaturation temperature in the thermal cycle, COLD-PCR could detect drug resistance mutations that existed at a level of 5-10% within a mixed pool, compared with a level of ≥25% for conventional PCR.
3. In patients prescribed lamivudine or telbivudine, COLD-PCR was more sensitive than conventional PCR, with a higher mutation detection rate.
4. COLD-PCR is useful for patient monitoring, as it is more sensitive than conventional PCR in early detection of drug resistance mutations.
2. With a simple alteration of denaturation temperature in the thermal cycle, COLD-PCR could detect drug resistance mutations that existed at a level of 5-10% within a mixed pool, compared with a level of ≥25% for conventional PCR.
3. In patients prescribed lamivudine or telbivudine, COLD-PCR was more sensitive than conventional PCR, with a higher mutation detection rate.
4. COLD-PCR is useful for patient monitoring, as it is more sensitive than conventional PCR in early detection of drug resistance mutations.