Rapid detection of PCR products of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with a non-radioactive oligoprobe.

Dot-blot for rapid detection of PCR amplification products of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using a digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled oligoprobe was developed and its sensitivity compared with Southern blot hybridization. The specificity and sensitivity of the DIG-labelled probe were identical to those of the 32P-labelled when the DIG-labelled nucleic acids were detected by enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescent reaction. The lack of radioactivity makes this procedure suitable for routine use in diagnostic laboratories.