Analysis of hepatitis C virus genotypes by a line probe assay and correlation with antibody profiles

The 5′ untranslated regions derived from 54 patients with a chronic hepatitis C virus infection were analyzed to determine the (sub)type of hepatitis C virus. Labelled polymerase chain reaction products from 5′ untranslated region were used as probes for reverse hybridization in a line probe assay (Inno-LiPA) and results were validated by comparison with direct sequencing data. Five different genoypes could be distinguished based on 5′ untranslated region sequence diversity. Results of typing by line probe assay and direct sequencing were similar. Antibody responses against core, NS-3, NS-4 and NS-5 epitopes were detected by RIBA-4 and Inno-LIA HCVAb II confirmatory assays. There was no consistent correlation between genotype and anti-HCV responses, although types 2, 3 and 4 hepatitis C virus isolates show poor reactivity with NS-4 epitopes.