聚合酶链反应鉴定丙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的状态及其意义

采用多种方法，动态检测了１１例丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）感染的孕妇所生的婴儿血抗－ＨＣＶ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ。发现用合成肽酶联免疫吸附试验（ｓｐＥＬＩＳＡ）检测婴儿抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率（２３．５２％）显著低于第二代重组抗原ＥＬＩＳＡ（２ｎｄＥＬＩＳＡ）（４１．１８％）（Ｐ＜０．０５）；用２ｎｄＥＬＩＳＡ检测，６例婴儿脐血和静脉血抗－ＨＣＶ阳性，５例持续１～５月阴转，１例阳性持续１３个月。经重组免疫印迹试验（ＲＩＢＡ）鉴定，４例阳性，２例可疑阳性。用逆转录聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）检测ＨＣＶＲＮＡ，５例阳性，３例于生后１～６个月自然阴转，２例持续阳性分别达９个月和１３个月。提示检测抗－ＨＣＶ判断ＨＣＶ母婴传播的状态受到婴儿抗－ＨＣＶ产生水平低下、母体抗－ＨＣＶ的被动输入和不同检测方法的影响，用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测ＨＣＶＲＮＡ是判断母婴传播更可靠的指标。     

利用双扩增聚合酶链反应检测非甲非乙型肝炎患者血清中丙型肝炎病毒RNA

利用丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）５’－端序列合成两对引物，建立了灵敏、特异的ＨＣＶＲＮＡ双扩增聚合酶链反应检测方法。用此方法及第二代Ａｂｂｏｔｔ酶联抗－ＨＣＶ检测试剂盒，检测了４４例非甲非乙型肝炎患者血清及１０名抗－ＨＣＶ阴性健康人。在４４例患者中，４１例（９３％）ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性，３６例（８２％）抗－ＨＣＶ阳性，３３例（７５％）ＨＣＶＲＮＡ、抗－ＨＣＶ全部阳性。３例ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴性，但抗－ＨＣＶ阳性，另外，有８例抗－ＨＣＶ阴性，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性。１０名健康人ＨＣＶＲＮＡ均为阴性。结果表明，大部分（９２％）抗－ＨＣＶ阳性患者带有ＨＣＶ，但为了检测所有病毒血症患者，抗－ＨＣＶ检测是不够的，利用双扩增ＰＣＲ方法检测ＨＣＶＲＮＡ对于抗－ＨＣＶ阴性患者的诊断是非常有用的。     

聚合酶链反应鉴定丙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的状态及其…

采用多种方法,动态检测了１１例丙型肝炎病毒感的孕妇所生的婴儿血抗－ＨＣＶ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ。发现用合成肽酶联免疫吸附试验检测婴儿抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率显著低于第二低重组抗原ＥＬＩＳＡ;用２ｎｄＥＬＩＳＡ检测,６例婴儿脐血和静脉血抗－ＨＣＶ阳性,５例持续１－５月阴转,１例阳性持续１３个月。     

丙型肝炎患者血清抗丙型肝炎病毒抗体IgM及HCVRNA检测结果的比较

用酶联免疫吸附试验（ＥＬＩＳＡ）对住院病人抗丙型肝炎病毒抗体（抗－ＨＣＶ）阳性血清标本进行抗－ＨＣＶＩｇＭ的检测，并与ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测结果比较。结果表明，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性、抗－ＨＣＶ阳性，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性、抗－ＨＣＶ阴性及ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴性、抗－ＨＣＶ阳性三种类型中均有抗－ＨＣＶＩｇＭ阳性者。结果还表明ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性病例的抗－ＨＣＶＩｇＭ阳性率明显高于ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴性的病例（Ｐ＜０．０５），在临床诊断上ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性与阴性病例的肝病大多数为急性肝炎（ＡＨ）和慢性活动性肝炎（ＣＡＨ），ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性与阴性比较，各类肝病的病例数无明显差别。     

丙型肝炎患者血清抗丙型肝炎病毒性抗IgM及HCVRN…

用酶联免疫吸附试验对住院病人抗丙型肝炎病毒抗体阳性血清标本进行抗－ＨＣＶＩｇＭ的检测，并与ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测结果比较。结果表明，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性、抗－ＨＣＶ阳性，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性，抗－ＨＣＶ阴性及ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴性，抗－ＨＣＶ阳性三类型中均有抗－ＨＣＶＩｇＭ阳性者。     

用聚合酶链反应检测人肝细胞癌乙型肝炎病毒DNA和丙型肝炎病毒RNA

为研究乙型肝炎病毒ＤＮＡ（ＨＢＶＤＮＡ）和丙型肝炎病毒ＲＮＡ（ＨＣＶＤＮＡ）与肝细胞癌的关系，用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）和巢式ＰＣＲ（ｎｅｓｔｅｄ－ＰＣＲ）分别检测４２例肝肿瘤组织中ＨＢＶＤＮＡ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ。结果：１例胆管细胞癌组织ＨＢＶＤＮＡ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ均阳性，１例胆管囊腺瘤ＨＢＶＤＮＡ阳性。４０例肝细胞癌组织中，单纯ＨＢＶＤＮＡ阳性１９例，单纯ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性３例，二者均阳性１０例。ＨＢＶＤＮＡ阳性率７２．５％，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性率３２．５％。ＨＢＶＤＮＡ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ感染与肝癌组织学分型无关；且肝细胞癌中ＨＣＶ感染与ＨＢＶ未见相关。结果提示，我国ＨＢＶ感染仍是引起肝细胞癌的主要原因。但由于肝细胞癌患者中ＨＣＶ的感染率也较高，且有上升趋势，因此ＨＣＶ可能也是肝细胞癌发生的重要原因之一。     

急慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒血症与抗体反应及肝损害…

对１９例急性和２０例慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清丙型肝炎病毒ＲＮＡ、丙型肝炎病毒抗体和肝损害指标丙氨酸转氨酶，血清总胆工素进行了检测。在１９例急性丙型肝炎发病初期，ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ阳性１９例，抗－ＨＣＶ阳性１１例；２０例慢性丙型肝炎患者中，ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ阳性１７例，抗－ＨＣＶ阳性１７例。     

肝病产妇丙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的可能性调查

对１９９１～１９９３年在南京市钟阜医院肝病产科住院的１０４７例肝病产妇中１２例丙型肝炎病毒抗体和／或丙型肝炎病毒核糖核酸阳性者，追踪观察了所生１２名婴儿的丙型肝炎病毒感染情况，发现１例抗－ＨＣＶ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ均阳性的孕妇所生的婴儿，０、１、６和１２个月时抗－ＨＣＶ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ均阳性，且该婴儿ＨＣＶ的血清型与母亲一致。结果提示，肝病产妇丙型肝炎病毒母婴传播是可能的，但不是主要的传播途径。     

乙型肝炎基因工程疫苗阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的研究

用转基因细胞（ＣＨＯ－Ｃ２８）分泌的乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原基因工程疫苗免疫母亲ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性的新生儿５０例，观察其阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的效果，随访１２个月，在３６例母亲为ＨＢｓＡｇ和ＨＢｅＡｇ均阳性的婴儿中仅１例为ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性，其余婴儿均有保护性抗体，预防保护率为９６．２％。１４例母亲单独ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性的所有婴儿抗ＨＢｓ均阳转，保护率达１００％。抗ＨＢｓ阳性的婴儿均具有较高抗体水平，抗ＨＢｓＧＭＴ为１１．１５６×１０５～１３．１３４×１０５ｍＩＵ／Ｌ。说明ＣＨＯ乙型肝炎基因工程疫苗具有较好的免疫原性和近期保护效果。     

血清学标志阴性的非甲～戊型肝炎的病原学研究

目的对血清学标志阴性的非甲～戊型肝炎进行病原学研究。方法用ＨＢＶＰＣＲ、ＨＣＶＲＴ－ＰＣＲ和ＨＥＶＲＴ－ＰＣＲ分别检测血清学标志阴性的非甲～戊型肝炎患者血清，并对其部分阳性产物进行克隆测序。结果８７例非甲～戊型肝炎血清ＨＢＶＤＮＡ均为阴性，９例（１０．３％）为ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性，部分经测序证实为ＨＣＶ１ｂ亚型；余７８例为ＨＢＶＤＮＡ和ＨＣＶＲＮＡ均阴性。该７８例中，１４例因无血清未作ＨＥＶＲＮＡ检测，余６４例中４９例（７６．６％）为ＨＥＶＲＮＡ阴性，１５例（２３．４％）为ＨＥＶＲＮＡ阳性。经序列分析显示，其中９例为典型的中国ＨＥＶ株基因序列，６例变异较大，与典型的中国株基因序列的同源性仅为８０％左右。４９例ＨＢＶＤＮＡ、ＨＣＶＲＮＡ和ＨＥＶＲＮＡ均阴性的血清中１６例（３２．６％）ＨＧＶＲＮＡ阳性。由此可见，该８７例中至少有９例为ＨＣＶ感染，１５例为ＨＥＶ感染，１６例为ＨＧＶ感染。结论对血清学标志阴性的非甲～戊型肝炎的病人应该用ＰＣＲ法进行病原学分型，以明确其诊断     

Seroprevalence of HIV,HBV, HCV,and HTLV among Pregnant Women in Southwestern Nigeria

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major public health challenge especially in developing countries. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Human T-cell lymphotropic Virus type I (HTLV-I) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and South-Western Nigeria. One hundred and eighty two randomly selected pregnant women were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and HTLV-1 IgM antibodies using commercially available ELISA kit. Of the182 blood samples of pregnant women screened whose age ranged from 15–49 years, 13 (7.1%), 5 (2.7%), 9 (4.9%), and 44 (24.2%) were positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and HTLV-1 IgM antibodies, respectively. The co-infection rate of 0.5% was obtained for HBV/HCV, HBV/HIV, HIV/HTLV-1, and HCV/HTLV-1 while 1.1% and 0% was recorded for HBV/HTLV-1 and HCV/HIV co-infections, respectively. Expected risk factors such as history of surgery, circumcision, tattooing and incision showed no significant association with any of the viral STIs (P > 0.05). This study shows that there is the need for a comprehensive screening of all pregnant women for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and HTLV-1 to prevent mother to child transmission of these viral infections and its attending consequences.     

Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among dentists in Taiwan

To evaluate whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an occupational hazard in the dental environment, serum samples collected in 1990–1991 from 461 dentists were tested for the antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) with first- and second-generation HCV enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIAs). Five of the 363 (1.38%) serum samples were reactive by the first-generation (C100–3) HCV EIA. Of the same 363 samples and the other 98 samples, 3 (0.65%) were reactive by the second-generation EIA. Those samples positive by the first- and/or second-generation HCV EIA were analyzed further by cDNA/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of HCV RNA. Only 1 of the 5 first-generation EIA reactive samples were PCR positive. These results are comparable to the anti-HCV prevalence of healthy blood donors (0.95% by C100–3 assay) and pregnant women (0.63% by recombinant immunoblot assay). We conclude that the prevalence of HCV infection among dentists in Taiwan is low, and there is no increased risk of HCV infection through the practice of dentistry, at least in our area. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Yaounde,Cameroon: prevalence,viremia, and genotypes

Central Africa is considered to be an area of high endemic hepatitis C infection. To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, and the genotype distribution in Cameroon, 1,494 pregnant women attending antenatal care units in Yaounde, Cameroon were screened for HCV infection. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected with a 3rd generation ELISA (Monolisa anti-HCV plus version 2, BioRad, Richmond, CA). All anti-HCV antibody-positive sera were then tested with another 3rd generation ELISA (AxSYM) HCV version 3, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) and subsequently for HCV RNA (Amplicor HCV, Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). Genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis of the NS5b gene. Seventy-three pregnant women were found to be anti-HCV antibody positive by the first ELISA, but only 28 were anti-HCV positive by both ELISA. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was thus 1.9% (28/1,494) (95% CI: 1.3-2.7%). 21/28 (75%) of the positive samples by both ELISA were HCV RNA positive. The 45 samples that were HCV antibody negative by the second ELISA were also HCV RNA negative. The HCV subtypes identified were 1a (24%), 2f (38%) and 4f (38%). In contrast to previous studies, anti-HCV antibodies were rare among pregnant women in Cameroon. The percentage of HCV seropositive pregnant women who had circulating HCV RNA was similar to that observed in Europe. Several HCV genotypes were found in Cameroon.     

Coxsackie B virus infections in women with miscarriage

Serum samples from 1,765 consecutive Sardinian blood donors, negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (anti-HIV), were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by second-generation ELISA. Anti-HCV was detected in 25 (1.45%) of the 1,765 donors examined. Anti-HCV was found in 15 of the 1,690 (0.9%) donors with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and in 10 of the 75 (13%) donors with elevated ALT (P < 0.0001). Of the 15 anti-HCV-positive donors with normal ALT, only five (33%) were confirmed to be positive by second-generation RIBA, six (40%) were indeterminate, while four (27%) were RIBA negative. HCV RNA, as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a set of primers from the 5′-noncoding region, was found in six of the 15 (40%) donors with normal ALT, including five RIBA, positive and one indeterminant. Of the 10 anti-HCV-positive donors with elevated ALT, all were RIBA positive and eight (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Thus, among ELISA-reactive donors, those with elevated ALT had a significantly higher probability of being positive for secondgeneration RIBA and HCV RNA compared to those with normal ALT levels (P = 0.028). None of the 65 donors with elevated ALT but negative for anti-HCV by ELISA had detectable serum HCV RNA, as compared to eight of 10 anti-HCV ELISApositive donors (P < 0.0001). However, although negative for HBsAg, 12 of the 65 (18%) had serum HBV DNA by PCR. This study demonstrates that the combined use of second-generation ELISA and RIBA anti-HCV assays is highly effective in identifying HCV infection, whereas the specificity of ELISA alone for the screening of blood donors with normal ALT values appears to be limited. In contrast, in donors with elevated ALT levels, there is a positive correlation between second-generation assays (ELISA and RIBA) and HCV viremia. The high proportion of inapparent HBV infection in blood donors with elevated ALT levels underlines the importance of this test for the prevention of transfusion-associated viral hepatitis.     

Discrepancy between Serological and Virological Analysis of Viral Hepatitis in Hemodialysis Patients

Background and Aim: Viral hepatitis is a health threat for hemodialysis (HD) patients and it may be transmitted during treatment. Some patients categorized to have viral hepatitis were found to be non-viremic. To clarify the discrepancy between the serological tests in HD patients, we conducted the study.Methods: A total of 1681 HD patients was included. Blood samples were analyzed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). Detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were performed in either HBsAg (+) or anti-HCV (+) samples. HBV DNA/HCV RNA was also measured in a subset of HBsAg (-) and anti-HCV (-) patients. Liver function tests were analyzed and compared with the serological and virological tests.Results: The serological tests showed that 230 patients (13.7%) were HBsAg (+) and 290 (17.3%) were anti-HCV (+). We were unable to detect HBV DNA in 97 of 230 (42.2%) HBsAg (+) patients, and HCV RNA could not be found in 76 of 290 (26.2%) anti-HCV (+) patients. In 167 HBsAg (-) patients, only one showed a trace amount of HBV DNA. None of 151 anti-HCV (-) patients showed detectable HCV RNA. The prevalence rate of viral hepatitis remains high in Taiwanese HD patients: 13.7% for HBV and 17.3% for HCV. However, virological analysis showed 42.2% non-viremic rate for HBsAg and 26.2% non-viremic rate for anti-HCV.Conclusions: The findings might challenge the presently suggested principles of bed and machine dedication and the diagnosis of viral hepatitis in HD patients.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections among pregnant women in the Asante Akim North Municipality of the Ashanti region,Ghana; a cross sectional study

BackgroundViral hepatitis is a serious public health problem affecting billions of people globally with maternal-fetal transmission on the rise.ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among pregnant women in the Asante Akim North Municipality, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study 168 pregnant women were recruited from the Agogo Presbyterian hospital. Blood samples were collected for the detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and identify the risk factors associated with the two infections.ResultsOf the 168 participants studied, 16 (9.5%) tested positive for HBV and 13 (7.7%) tested positive for HCV representing 9.5% and 7.7% respectively. A participant tested positive for both HBV and HCV co-infection representing 0.6%. Undertaking blood transfusion, tattooing and sharing of needles were associated with hepatitis C infection (P=0.001). HBV was not associated with any of the risk factors (P>0.05).ConclusionOur findings suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among pregnant women; blood transfusion, tattooing and sharing of hypodermic needles were associated with hepatitis C infection. Measures to reduce the disease and transmission burden must be introduced.     

Prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody among pregnant women and blood donors at Bowen University Teaching Hospital,Ogbomoso, Oyo State,Nigeria

Hepatitis C virus is one of the emerging infectious diseases that can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among potential blood donors and pregnant women attending Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State. This hospital-based study was conducted from December 2014 to September 2015. The study group (N = 279) included potential blood donors and pregnant women. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. The presence of anti-HCV antibodies in serum samples of the studied subjects were detected using third-generation Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (WKEA Med Supplies Corp, China). Chisquare test was utilized to assess the association between the socio-demographic variables and HCV status. Logistic regression was done to determine the strength of association between risk factors and HCV status. Statistical significance was set at P ? 0.05. Overall seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection was found to be 1.79% consisting 0.36% of pregnant women and 1.43% of blood donors. None of the socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors among the study groups were significantly associated with hepatitis C virus infection. This study found a seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody to be 1.79%, thus, screening of pregnant women and blood donors for HCV infections with the use of ELISA is recommended because of its important role in detecting the presence of anti-HCV antibody with utmost specificity and sensitivity.     

Sensitivity of a modified version of the ARCHITECT Anti-HCV test in detecting samples with immunoblot-confirmed, low-level antibody to hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compliance with current regulations regarding the prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in the blood transfusion setting requires the use of sensitive assays for HCV antibody (anti-HCV) detection, which should, ideally, identify any donor having had prior contact with the virus. Therefore, low-level anti-HCV positive blood units should be detected by the screening assays, even those reflecting a past and resolved infection. To assess the sensitivity of two versions of an automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for anti-HCV screening (ARCHITECT Anti-HCV), 113 single serum samples containing low levels of anti-HCV, assessed by two immunoblot tests, were selected from 3686 samples received for confirmation of HCV infection by a reference laboratory over a 2-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The panel included 17 samples with HCV RNA detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 96 PCR negative samples with either positive or indeterminate (anti-Core and anti-NS3 alone) results by immunoblot. RESULTS: All but 13 specimens (100/113, 88.5%) were detected by the current version of the ARCHITECT Anti-HCV assay and 10 additional samples (110/113, 97.3%) tested positive in a modified version of the test. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the modification introduced in the ARCHITECT Anti-HCV assay achieves a significant sensitivity improvement including samples with low-level anti-HCV which are either PCR positive or negative.     

Variability of IgM response in hepatitis C virus infection

The IgM and IgG antibody response to various hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens was studied in 8 patients who acquired posttransfusion HCV infection. IgM anti-HCV was detectable in only 4 of these patients, coincident with (1 patient) or later than (3 patients) the IgG anti-HCV response. Seven patients had initially decreasing IgG anti-HCV titres, indicating passive transfer of antibodies from donor to recipient. All 8 patients showed active IgG seroconversion, as demonstrated by increasing IgG anti-HCV titres, on average, 75 days after infection. Five years after infection, all patients were still reactive for IgG anti-HCV antibodies and 7 were positive for HCV RNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two of these PCR positive patients were also reactive for IgM anti-HCV. It is concluded that the serology of HCV infection does not follow the classical pattern of IgM response preceding detection of IgG. The IgM response may be absent, late, or persistent after HCV infection. The serological diagnosis of recent HCV infection should be based on the polymerase chain reaction or rising IgG titres in at least 2 sequential patient blood samples. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.