丙型肝炎病毒母婴宫内传播的研究

目的为研究丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）的母婴宫内传播，评估ＨＣＶ母婴传播的危险性。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验（ＥＬＩＳＡ）法检测ＨＣＶ，以逆转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）检测ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ。结果检测的４２７７例孕晚期孕妇血清抗－ＨＣＶ，其中６例阳性，进一步检查ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ，结果６例中有５例阳性，且均有受血史，５例阳性孕妇其配对婴儿脐血抗－ＨＣＶ均阳性，其中２例ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ阳性，肝功能异常；１例出生时ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ阴性，到２４个月时ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ阳转。ＨＣＶ母婴宫内传播率为２／５。结论表明上海地区存在ＨＣＶ母婴宫内传播，应重视有受血史的生育妇女孕期及孕前的ＨＣＶ检查及ＨＣＶ感染儿的随访。     

Spontaneous remission of chronic hepatitis C in children

The clinical course of 48 children with chronic hepatitis C (33 boys, 15 girls; mean age: 12.2 years) was monitored for more than 3 years to clarify its natural course. All patients were positive for the second-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and for serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. All but one patient had a history of blood transfusion. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had been abnormal for more than 1.5 years. Spontaneous remission defined as a biochemical remission lasting more than 1 year in association with the disappearance of serum HCV RNA, occurred in 4 (8.3%), however, in 25%, HCV RNA was still detectable in the liver even after its disappearance from serum. In this patient, the level of antibody to HCV core antigen (anti-HCV core) did not decrease significantly and serum HCV RNA eventually reappeared. The serum titre of HCV RNA in the 4 children with spontaneous remission was lower than in the remaining 44 children. Spontaneous remission may occur in children with chronic hepatitis C in whom the serum titre of HCV RNA is low and serum level of anti-HCV core decreases significantly. Assessment of the intrahepatic HCV RNA is necessary to confirm complete remission. Conclusion A low serum titre of HCV RNA and a significant decrease in the serum titre of anti-HCV core were associated with spontaneous remission in children with chronic hepatitis C. Intrahepatic HCV RNA assessment is necessary to confirm complete remission. Received: 9 April 1996 and in revised form: 8 April 1997 / Accepted: 15 April 1997     

Hepatitis B and C virus infections in Turkish children with haemophilia

We examined 41 Turkish children with haemophilia for evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatitis B surface antigen was found to be positive in 11 patients (26. 8%) and HCV-specific antibody (anti-HCV) was detected in 10 (24. 4%) patients. There was a close relationship of the number of transfusions of blood plasma to the presence of HCV specific antibody, but not to the serum markers of HBV infection. In countries where HBV infection is commonly seen and problems in transfusion practice continue, as in Turkey, children with haemophilia are at greater risk for HBV and HCV infections.     

Post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C in children

Two hundred and twenty-six patients who received blood products for open-heart surgery in childhood were screened by a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and with surrogate markers for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Twenty-two (14%) of the 161 recipients who received blood products before 1989 and none of the subjects who had received blood products after 1990 (the year that the blood bank began to screen for HCV antibody) were HCV seropositive. Virologic and histologic studies showed that 10 (45%) of 24 seropositive patients had persistent hepatitis C virus infection, many with ongoing hepatitis. The remaining 12 seropositive patients with absent HCV RNA had normal ALT levels, indicating resolved hepatitis C infection. Enrolment in screening is important to detect chronic hepatitis C in children who received blood products prior to screening of blood donors for HCV antibody.     

High rate of maternal-infant transmission of hepatitis G virus in HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus-infected women

The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection was investigated in 56 mothers with both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thirty-three (58.8%) women had markers of HGV infection, including 7/15 (46.6%) with no history of parenteral exposure to blood. Sixteen (48%) had HGV RNA in serum by a polymerase chain reaction assay, and 17 (52%) had antibody to E2 viral protein. No woman was positive for both markers. Of 20 infants born to the 16 mothers with HGV viremia, 9 (45%, 95% CI 34-56%) acquired the infection. No infected child seroconverted to HGV during the first year of life. At the latest visit (mean: 37.1 mo, range: 9-89 mo) 7 children were still seronegative HGV RNA carriers, 1 was both RNA- and antibody-negative, while 1 RNA-negative child had developed the E2 antibody. Of the 20 HGV-exposed infants, 2 contracted HCV and 1 HIV-1 (all 3 with HGV coinfection). No abnormalities in clinical findings and ALT levels were observed throughout the follow-up period in the six children with HGV infection alone. Our findings show that HGV infection is widespread among HIV-1- and HCV-infected women. Maternal-infant transmission of HGV is common and occurs independently from that of HIV-1 and HCV in women with triple infection. Most perinatally HGV-infected children develop persistent infection with no clinical or biological signs of liver damage, at least in the first years of life.     

Efficacy of interferons in treating children with chronic hepatitis C

Twenty-two children with chronic hepatitis serologically positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) were treated with interferon-α (IFN-α). Liver biopsy showed chronic active hepatitis in 13 and chronic persistent hepatitis in 9 patients. A sustained clearance of HCV was observed in 8/22 children 12 months after the administration of IFN-α for 26 weeks, associated with normalization of HCV core antibody. Of these eight patients six had HCV genotype III and two HCV genotype II or IV. Hepatitis relapsed in seven other patients after completion of IFN-α with an increase in HCV core antibody titre, five with HCV genotype II, and two with HCV genotype III or IV. A second course of IFN-α suppressed the reactivation of HCV in all seven patients. Three of seven responders who relapsed after the first course remained negative for HCV RNA 12 months after their second course of IFN-α. However, the remaining four patients with HCV genotype II again relapsed after completing their second course of IFN-α. Seven children with the HCV genotype II resistant to IFN, including 8 weeks of IFN-β administration, and showed no significant reduction in HCV core antibody titre. Conclusion The genotype of HCV (III) and a reduction in the core antibody titre appear to be useful parameters for predicting the response to IFN-α therapy. Received: 12 September 1996 and in revised form: 28 January 1997 / Accepted: 11 February 1997     

小儿庚型肝炎的探讨

为了探讨一种新型肝炎病毒，即庚型肝炎病毒（ｈｅｐａｔｉｔｉｓＧｖｉｒｕｓ，ＨＧＶ）在小儿中的感染特点，检测了３６例肝炎患儿及１６例健康体检儿童血清中ＨＧＶ－ＲＮＡ（套式逆转录ＰＣＲ法）。结果表明，３６例肝炎中有１１例ＨＧＶ感染者，其中６例合并慢性ＨＣＶ感染（３例接受过干扰素治疗），２例合并慢性ＨＢＶ感染，２例为慢性非Ａ－Ｅ肝炎，１例合并ＨＢＶ＋ＨＡＶ感染。１６例健康儿童均阴性。ＨＧＶ感染率在血制品输入者１０例中７例阳性，在未输入者２２例中３例阳性（两者比较，Ｐ＜０．０１），在血制品使用情况不明者２０例中１例阳性。提示输入血制品是小儿ＨＧＶ感染的主要途径，但不排除还有其他途径，感染者主要为慢性肝炎患儿，干扰素的疗效有待进一步研究     

Screening for hepatitis C virus infection among Minia city school students

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. Cirrhosis and end stage liver disease are considered main complications among adults and children. Egypt show higher level of anti HCV antibodies than other countries. The current study aimed at screening school children for the presence of HCV antibodies.

Risk of hepatitis C virus infection in multiply transfused premature neonates

BACKGROUND: Reports from around the world indicate that multiply transfused patients are at increased risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with reported rates of between 4% and 44%. Such reports are mostly of haematological and renal patients. As recipients of blood products in the newborn period, premature infants share this risk, but there is little information regarding their risk. AIM: To assess the risk of HCV infection in children who, as premature neonates, received multiple blood products prior to the introduction of screening of donated blood for HCV. METHODS: Premature infants born between January 1985 and January 1990 who had attended our high-risk follow-up clinic were selected on the basis of the number of transfusions of blood, platelets or fresh frozen plasma they received in the newborn period. Ethical approval to offer HCV testing to parents was obtained from the Central Sydney Area Health Service Ethics Review Committee. Parents of infants who received three or more transfusions were then contacted by mail with the approved letter explaining the study, and offered HCV testing. Detection of anti-HCV antibodies was undertaken using second, and later third generation enzyme immunoassay kits. Samples which were found to be 'indeterminate' were tested using a Wellcozyme HCV western blot assay (Murex Diagnostics Ltd, Datford, UK). Hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid (RNA) was detected using an 'in-house' polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Alanine transaminase (ALT) was also measured, with values above 55 U/L considered abnormal. RESULTS: Consent was obtained for 45 children (25 males, 20 females). The mean (+/- SEM) gestational age and weight of the children at birth was 26.7 +/- 0.2 weeks and 938 +/- 27 g, respectively. The children received 198 transfusions of blood products, an average of 4.4 U per child. All of the infants except for one were negative for anti-HCV antibodies. One infant was 'indeterminate' (low positive on third generation test but negative on second generation test), but proved negative subsequently on both western blot and PCR testing. HCV-RNA was not detected in any of the infants on PCR testing. All of the samples had normal ALT values, the mean being 16 U/L (range 8-52). CONCLUSION: None of the children consenting to this study had evidence of current HCV infection. Because of the sample size, we were not able to estimate the true risk of infection from this study, except that the upper limit for the risk is about 1/200 per transfused blood sample.     

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children

Since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989, significant advances have been made in our understanding of this important viral pathogen. Children at risk for HCV infection include recipients of potentially contaminated blood products and organ transplants, and infants born to HCV-infected mothers. Chronic HCV infection is usually asymptomatic in children but active hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma can occur. The development of treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis C in children has directly evolved from clinical trials in adults. Sustained virologic response, defined by undetectable HCV RNA in serum 24 wk after completion of treatment, occurs in approximately 36% of children treated with conventional interferon alone and in about 50% of those given conventional interferon in combination with ribavirin. Pegylated interferon-based treatment regimens are better than those based on conventional interferon in adults but little is known about pegylated interferon in children. Factors associated with a favorable response to antiviral therapy in children are similar to those in adults and include infection with HCV genotype 2 or 3 and low pretreatment serum HCV RNA levels. Treatment related adverse events in children include 'flu-like' syndrome, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, depression, anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.     

Hepatitis C and G Virus infections in polytransfused children

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and a newly identified hepatitis G virus (HGV) and their clinical significance were studied in 42 polytransfused Taiwanese children. Serological assays for antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV) and polymerase chain reaction for serum HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and HGV RNA were performed. The prevalence of anti-HCV and HGV RNA was 17% and 14%, respectively in 42 polytransfused children. Anti-HCV seropositives had a significantly higher mean age, peak serum transaminase level, and longer transfusion duration than seronegatives, while children with HGV infection usually had no or only mild hepatitis activities. The prevalence of anti-HCV dropped sharply after implementation of anti-HCV screening, however the prevalence of HGV viraemia remained unchanged. Conclusion HGV infection is not uncommon in polytransfused Taiwanese children and the virus does not cause significant hepatitis compared to HCV infection. Current blood donor screening for anti-HCV can effectively protect polytransfused children from HCV infection but the impact of additional screening for HGV markers awaits further studies. Received: 10 October 1996 and in revised form: 26 November 1996 / Accepted 26 November 1996     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies among multitransfused thalassaemic children in Shiraz, Iran

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of seropositivity to hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among children with beta-thalassaemia major receiving multiple transfusions in Shiraz, Iran, compared with healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: The study was performed during 1999-2000 on multitransfused children with beta-thalassaemia major registered by the Shiraz Thalassaemia Society. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (Ab) and HIV Ab were checked using a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive tests were confirmed by western blots. Healthy blood donors were used for the control group. RESULTS: Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV Ab and HIV Ab were positive in four of 755 (0.53%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.17-1.3), 73 of 466 (15.7%; 95% CI=12.6-19.2) and none of 466 patients tested, respectively. Positive sera for HBsAg, anti-HCV Ab and HIV Ab were found in 85 (1.07%), 47 (0.59%) and 27 (0.34%) of 7879 control children, respectively. The rate of anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher in patients than in the control group (P < 0.0001). In patients, the rate of positive anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher than the rate for positive HBsAg (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that HCV is the current major problem in multitransfused children with thalassaemia major and more careful pretransfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in our blood banks.     

慢性丙型肝炎病毒核酸的分布特征

为探讨丙型肝炎病毒核酸（ＨＣＶＲＮＡ）在小儿丙型肝炎（简称丙肝）肝脏的分布及意义，在对１５例小儿慢性丙型肝炎进行临床、病理、超微病理研究的基础上，同时检测血清ＨＣＶＲＮＡ（ＰＣＲ法），并以原位杂交法（ＩＳＨ）检测肝组织的ＨＣＶＲＮＡ。结果：同期检测血清ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性率为５３％（８／１５）。肝脏ＨＣＶＲＮＡ为６７％（１０／１５），肝脏ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性者，其ＨＣＶＲＮＡ主要分布在肝细胞胞浆中，偶见核内分布。动态检测血清ＨＣＶＲＮＡ为９３％（１４／１５）。提示：肝脏ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性组病理损害较重，电镜观察胶原纤维的沉积和脂肪变更明显。推测是否与ＨＣＶ直接致肝脏病变有关。     

Hepatitis C infection in children: a Melbourne perspective

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical spectrum of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected children in our care by determining presentation, mode of acquisition, degree of co-infection, biochemical evidence of persisting hepatitis and treatment outcome. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review of the medical records of all children attending the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, between 1990 and 1998, who had antibodies to HCV infection detected. Detailed clinical information, investigations and the results of treatment were extracted from the clinical notes. RESULTS: A total of 94 children (age range 2 weeks to 19.7 years) were identified, of whom nine had passive transfer of maternal antibodies from HCV-positive mothers and were excluded from analysis. Sixty-seven children (79%) were infected by transfusion of blood or blood products. Perinatal transmission occurred in 11 children (13%), and six children (7%) had a history of i.v. drug abuse. The majority of children were asymptomatic at presentation. Of the 65 patients tested for HCV-ribonucleic acid, 43 (66%) were positive. Fifty-seven cases had serial alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) measurements over a mean of 28 months. Of these, 38 (67%) had an abnormal ALT. Ten cases (12%) were co-infected with hepatitis B virus, HIV or both. Of 12 patients treated with interferon, four responded with normalisation of ALT from 3 to 12 months post-commencement of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although HCV was largely an asymptomatic condition in our clinic population, more than half the patients had biochemical evidence of ongoing liver damage. Given the chronicity of this infection in the majority of patients and the long-term risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, children with HCV infection represent a high-risk group worthy of regular follow up.     

The prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA among healthy and HCV-infected Catalan children

GB virus C (GBV-C) is a blood-borne flavivirus. The prevalence of GBV-C viremia among healthy adults is 0.5% to 4% and, to date, no disease has been definitely associated with GBV-C infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate GBV-C viremia prevalence in a group of 327 healthy children with normal alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels (Group A) and elevated ALT levels (Group B) of unknown origin, and among 38 pediatric patients with mother-to-child-transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (Group C). No statistically significant differences were observed between prevalences in Groups A and B (2.2% vs 6.7%, p = 0.06). None of the children in Groups A or B who tested positive for GBV-C RNA showed any clinical symptoms. The prevalence of GBV-C viremia in Group A was lower than for patients in Group C (2.2% vs 13.2%, p = 0.007); no differences were observed in HCV infection characteristics between those patients who were co-infected with GBV-C and those who were not. In conclusion, while GBV-C viremia is more frequent among HCV-infected pediatric patients, it is neither associated with liver disease nor has any influence on HCV-related chronic hepatitis.     

Importance of recall and follow-up screening for chronic hepatitis C in children receiving blood products prior to 1990 in Japan

The objective was to detect chronic hepatitis C virus infection in recipients of blood products using retrospective analysis by recall and enrollment of recipients. 226 patients who received blood products for open heart surgery from January 1983 to June 1992 were examined for HCV antibody by using a second generation assay and liver function test. 22 (14%) of the 161 patients who received blood products before November 1989 had detectable HCV antibody, but none of the 65 recipients receiving blood products after 1990, the year the Japanese blood bank began to screen for HCV-antibody. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, more than 25 iu/L, during the chronic phase of HCV infection was recognized in nine of 22 (41%) seropositive patients. The liver function test and second generation HCV antibody in the serum are effective markers to screen for chronic hepatitis C in blood product recipients transfused before 1990.     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in urban children

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children with an unknown or negative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status attending an urban hospital pediatric primary care clinic, and to identify HCV risk factors in their mothers. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of 1034 children tested for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) after excluding children known to be HIV-positive. We assessed maternal HCV risk factors through structured interviews with a sample of mothers (n=573) and through review of available medical records (n=347) for a subsample of mother-child pairs. Means, proportions, and 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate the prevalence of anti-HCV and maternal risk factors. RESULTS: One child (0.1%; 95% CI, 0.002, 0.5) was anti-HCV positive. History of blood transfusion was reported by 7% of mothers and intravenous drug use (IVDU) by 1.8%. A subsample of mothers significantly underreported IVDU when compared with medical record review (1.5% vs 7.8%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that universal screening of children for HCV in high-risk urban communities is not warranted. However, self-report may not be reliable for identifying mothers with a history of IVDU, for whom HCV testing is recommended.     

儿童1b基因型丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗效果分析

目的了解儿童1b基因型丙型肝炎(丙肝)的临床特点,探讨聚乙二醇干扰素α(PEG-IFNα)或普通干扰素α(IFN-α)联合利巴韦林(RBV)的疗效和不良事件。方法收集复旦大学附属儿科医院感染传染科2011年11月至2014年12月收治的丙肝连续病例,截取其临床表现、治疗前基线、治疗期间HCV RNA等实验室指标和不良事件,行描述性分析。结果 10例1b型丙肝患儿进入分析,男8例,女2例;确诊时平均年龄37.1个月(8月龄至6.6岁)。10例均无明显临床症状,2例为母婴传播,8例非母婴传播(4例疑为输液器污染而感染,4例原因不明)。1治疗前9例HCV-Ab阳性,8例HCV RNA载量1×103IU·m L-1,5例ALT和AST轻度升高;7例行肝脏组织活检:1例提示肝脏轻度脂肪变性;炎症活动度2例G1级,3例G2级,1例G3级;纤维化程度分期1例S0期,3例S1期,2例S2期;27例接受了PEG-IFNα或IFN-α联合RBV治疗,6例治疗12周HCV RNA载量均1×103IU·m L-1,1例治疗4周HCV RNA载量1×103IU·m L-1,仍在治疗随访中;2例未接受抗病毒药物治疗,分别随访了16周和24周,HCV RNA持续1×103IU·m L-1,肝功能持续正常;1例母婴传播8月龄患儿未予抗病毒药物治疗,出院后失访;37例抗病毒治疗患儿均未观察到严重的不良事件,治疗初期均有发热,治疗4周1例出现WBC轻度降低,PLT出现3次一过性降低,Hb均无异常。结论 1b基因型丙肝患儿肝脏组织炎症和纤维化程度均较轻。PEG-IFNα或IFN-α联合RBV治疗儿童1b基因型丙肝反应良好,未见严重的不良事件。     

High viral load and mild liver injury in children with hemophilia compared with other children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: In adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the severity of liver disease may be influenced by the mode of transmission. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the mode of transmission affects liver injury and viral load in children with chronic HCV infection, independent of duration of infection and/or HCV genotype. METHODS: Thirty-nine anti-HCV (EIA-2) positive patients, were divided into three groups: group 1, children with a history of blood transfusion (n = 9; age, 13.3+/-1.3 years), group 2, children with hemophilia (n = 19; age, 11.6+/-0.8 years); and group 3, children with maternal-fetal transmitted disease (n = 10; age, 4.7+/-1.1 years). Serum alanine aminotransferase, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, and liver histology were assessed. RESULTS: Serum HCV viral load was higher in group 2 (4.27+/-1.0x10(6) copies/ml; p = 0.006) than in group 1 (0.73+/-0.3x10(6) copies/ml) and in group 3 (0.83+/-0.2x10(6) copies/ml). Conversely, group 2 had less severe liver injury compared with children of similar age in group 1 (p = 0.022). Despite a shorter duration of infection, group 3 had liver injury similar to that in group 1. Hepatitis C virus genotype did not influence the level of viremia or liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although children with hemophilia exhibited a high HCV viral load, liver histopathology was less severe than in children who had acquired HCV by blood transfusion or maternal-fetal transmission. These observations support the need to investigate the role of host immune response rather than the virus per se in the pathogenesis of HCV infection in children.