Molecular diagnostics in the management of chronic hepatitis C: key considerations in the era of new antiviral therapies.

ABSTRACT

Molecular tests that detect and/or quantify HCV RNA are important in the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) undergoing anti-viral therapy. The primary goal of anti-HCV therapy is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR) defined as "undetectable" Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in the serum or plasma at 12 to 24 weeks following the end of treatment.