TABLE 2.

Qualitative RT-PCR results obtained by 12 laboratories for detection of HCV RNA in 16 seminal samples according to protocol of RNA extraction

Laboratory	RNA extraction protocol				No. of results			% Correctb
	Vol (μl)	Dilution of sample used	Concn of RNA by centrifugation at 4°C	Assay	Positive (n = 13)	Indeterminatea (n = 5)	Negative (n = 2)
A	200	Undiluted	None	NucliSens	13	3	2	100
B	500	Undiluted	None	NucliSens	11	4	1	80
C	100	Undiluted	None	Nuclisens	9	0	2	73.3
D	250	1:1	21,000 × g for 1 h	Qiagen RNA	13	1	2	100
E	200	Undiluted	None	Amplicor	7	1	1	53.3
F	140	Undiluted	None	Qiagen RNA	11	1	2	86.7
G	200	Undiluted	23,000 × g for 1 h	Amplicor	12	1	2	93.3
H	200	Undiluted	None	Amplicor	9	1	0	60
I	200	1:2	28,100 × g for 1 h	Amplicor	12	3	2	93.3
J	250	1:1	20,000 × g for 1 h	Qiagen RNA	12	3	2	93.3
K	200	1:2	24,000 × g for 1 h	Amplicor	12	0	2	93.3
L	200	1:1	None	NucliSens	10	0	2	80

^aCorresponds to the five samples listed in Table 1 with a viral load below the threshold of sensitivity of 50 IU/ml.

^bTaking into consideration the 13 positive and the 2 negative samples.