3' Base specific polymerase chain reaction for rapid screening assay for genetic point mutation

  Objective   To evaluate the 3'base specific polymerase chain reaction(3'BS-PCR)screening method for detecting precore(pre-c)1896 point mutations of hepatitis B virus(HBV).

  Methods   Pre-c 1896 point mutations of HBV were detected in 72 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis Binfection by 3'BS-PCR, as well as direct sequencing of PCR product.

  Results   In this study when the anneal temprature was 61℃, the 3'BS-PCR results of pre-c point mutation in 16 cases were completely conformed to that of direct sequencing of PCR product; The rate of pre-c point mutation in 72 case of anti-HBe positive patients was 34.72% when using 3'BS-PCR, within which the pure mutation rate and overall mutation rate were 19.44% and 15.28% respectively.

  Conclusion   3'BS-PCR, a simple and economical method, could support us with an alternatively valuable assay for screening DNA point mutations from large number samples.