Detection of HCV RNA in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Liver Tissue by RT-PCR

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA has been detected in the sera and liver sections of patients with chronic HCV infection using RT-PCR and other sensitive molecular techniques. Since archived formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues from these patients are readily available for retrospective studies, development of an assay for the detection of HCV RNA in these fixed tissues will be useful for studying HCV pathogenesis and the effect of interferon-α therapy.