上海地区71例慢性丙型病毒性肝炎患者基因型分布研究

目的：观察上海地区慢性丙型肝炎（慢丙肝）患者的丙肝病毒（HCV）基因型分布情况。方法：提取血清HCVRNA，套式PCR扩增方法扩增目的片段，纯化后直接测序。结果：71例血清标本检测示，1b型占87．32％（62／71），2a型占12．68％（9／71），共有22个突变。1b型的突变率为33．87％（21／62），2a型的突变率为11．11％（1／9）。两种基因型突变率比较，具统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论：该研究中HCV基因型为1b和2a两型。1b型占多数，1b型的突变率高于2a型。     

郴州地区HCV基因型与病毒载量的相关性分析

目的了解本地区丙型肝炎的流行特征和基因型分布,并分析HCV基因1型与非基因1型病毒载量的关系。方法选择来自郴州地区的60例HCV RNA阳性的初治丙型肝炎患者,进行HCV RNA病毒载量及HCV基因分型检测,依据基因检测结果分为基因1型和非基因1型两组,并对两组进行病毒载量的比较。计量资料满足正态分布采用t检验,不满足正态采用秩和检验。结果本地区HCV基因型有1b、3b、6a、3a、2a、2a＋3a、5a型。其中,1b型25例,占41．6％,其次为3b、6a型各11例（18．3％）,3a型6例（10％）,2a型4例（6．6％）,2a＋3a型2例（3．3％）,5a型1例（1．7％）;HCV基因1型患者中,HCV RNA载量≤100IU／ml者1例、10^4～10^5IU／ml者4例、10^5～10^6IU／ml者10例、10^6～10^7IU／ml者10例;非基因1型患者中,HCV RNA载量≤10^4IU／ml者1例、10^4～10^5IU／ml者6例、10^5～10^6IU／ml者18例、10^6～10^7IU／ml者8例、HCVRNA载量≥100IU／ml者2例。两组病毒载量进行比较,差异无统计学意义（Z=-0．302,P=0．763．）。结论郴州地区HCV基因型以1b型为主,其次为3b和6a型,同时还存在3a型、2a型、5a型,以及2a／3a混合型。HCV基因1型与非基因1型病毒载量高低无区别。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因分型与肝生化、脂代谢血清学指标的相关性研究

目的：探讨慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因型分布特点,以及不同 HCV 基因型患者肝生化和脂代谢指标的差异。方法应用荧光定量 PCR 和基因分型芯片对慢性丙型肝炎患者血清样本进行 HCV RNA 检测和基因分型,同时检测患者 GGT、ALT、AST、LDL-C、Apo-AⅠ、Apo-B、TG 和 TC。采用 SPSS19．0统计分析软件比较不同 HCV 基因型患者病毒载量、肝生化和脂代谢血清学指标的差异。结果我院慢性丙型肝炎患者中1b 型占77．1％,3b 型10．8％,2a 型7．4％,1b／2a 型3．5％,3a 型1．3％;1b 型和3b 型患者病毒载量高于2a 型和1b／2a 型（P ＜0．05）;3b 型患者 Apo-B和 TC 低于1b 型和2a 型患者（P ＜0．05）;肝生化和其余几项脂代谢指标在不同 HCV 基因型患者间无统计学差异。结论慢性丙型肝炎患者感染 HCV 1b 基因型较为常见,其次是3b 型和2a 型;不同 HCV 基因型患者肝生化无显著差异,但病毒载量和脂代谢指标差异有显著性。     

丙型肝炎病毒非编码区ABC程序酶切分型研究

目的为进一步了解中国是否存在HCV 3b基因及1a、2b和6a基因型感染，建立HCV 5′端非编码区(5′ NCR)不同基因型的基因库。方法分型方法按ABC程序进行，A应用BHH′(BsrBⅠ、HaeⅡ、HinfⅠ)复介内切酶消化5′NCR cDNA，可将不同基因型划分为5组：1a、1b，6a，2a、2b，3a，3b、4a。B应用BstU Ⅰ内切酶鉴别1a、1b。C应用Hae Ⅲ内切酶鉴别2a、2b、3b、4a及6a。电泳检测片段大小。结果(1)la、1b、2a、2b、3a、3b、4a、6a 8种基因型参比品的ABC分型结果表明，该8种基因型获得良好的分型效果。(2)93份HCV RNA阳性患者ABC分型结果表明，1b型感染率占66．67％，2a型18．28％，1b／2b型、3b型及2b型均为3．23％，2a／2b型和1b／2a型各为2．15％，1a型1．08％。结论结果表明应用HCV 5′-NCR ABC分型技术既保证了HCV RNA检测的灵敏度，又能完成1a-6a型中的8种基因型的鉴别。     

甘肃地区汉族HCV基因分型相关分析

目的调查甘肃地区汉族丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）基因分型分布情况及与其可能的传播途径、其他相关临床指标之间的关系。方法收集甘肃地区汉族220例患者完整数据,包括性别、年龄、可能的感染途径、病毒水平及生化检查。计量资料采用t检验以及秩和检验分析,计数资料采用卡方检验,采用多因素Logistic回归分析研究HCV基因型与临床的相关性。结果220例患者共检出1b型84例（38％）,2a型136例（62％）。对220例不同HCV基因型感染者的年龄、性别、感染途径、HCVRNA、ALT、AST、TBil、IBil、DBil、ALP、GGT等11项观察指标进行单因素分析结果表明,感染途径、HCVRNA及A¨与HCV基因型问存在相关性（Ⅳ0=23．947,P〈0．001;Z=一3．349,P=0．001;t=-2．325,P=0．021）,而年龄、性别、AST、TBil、IBil、DBil、ALP、GGT等指标均与HCV基因型无关（P〉0．05）。再经多因素Logistic回归分析显示,该3项均与HCV基因型有关（矿=3．993,P=0．046;矿=9．308,P=0．002;x^2=11．652,P=0．001）。Logistic回归分析结果显示HCVRNA高水平复制（≥10^6）患者中感染2a型较1b型患者多;ALT异常（〉49U／L）患者中感染2a型者较之感染1b型患者多;通过输血途径、口腔感染途径感染1b型的概率,较之其他途径高。结论甘肃地区汉族人群中HCV感染主要为基因1b型及2a型,且2a型较1b型更为常见。2a型患者更容易出现HCVRNA的高水平复制,且可能更容易出现肝脏损伤。输血途径感染是甘肃地区主要感染HCV的方式,其次为口腔感染,而通过以上2种感染方式感染HCV的患者1b型较2a型多。     

长春地区丙型肝炎病毒基因分析

目的了解长春地区HCV基因分型情况，为HCV感染者的诊断和治疗提供重要的科学依据。方法荧光定量RT-PCR检测97例抗-HCV阳性血清标本，并对89例HCV-RNA阳性的血清标本应用基因芯片法进行HCV基因分型。结果89例阳性标本中HCV1b型49例，HCV2a型37例，HCV1b／2a混合型3例。结论长春地区HCV基因型主要为1b型，2a型次之，同时存在HCV1b／2a混合型。     

太原地区丙型肝炎病毒基因分型及其临床意义

目的了解本地区HCV基因型分布,探讨HCV基因分型的临床意义。方法用RT-nested-PCR方法扩增62例丙型肝炎患者血清HCV5’ UTR区,限制性内切酶HaeⅢ、Bsh1236Ⅰ进行双酶切得到不同长度基因片段,分析结果,确定基因型。结果62例丙型肝炎患者中,其中1b型43例,2a型9例,1b/2a混合型5例,1a型1例,3a型1例,未分型3例。基因1b型患者肝功能、肝脏脂肪变性均较非1b型严重。结论本地区丙型肝炎以基因1b型为主,且该型患者临床病情较其它型严重。     

合肥地区丙型肝炎病毒基因分型分布特征

目的了解合肥地区丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)基因型分布特点。方法收集251例HCV患者的临床流行病学资料和外周静脉血,采用sanger测序法检测HCV基因型。结果合肥地区HCV患者中共检出4种基因型,8种基因亚型,以1b型最多占68.12%,其次2a、2i型占12.75%、10.36%,3a、3b、6a、6n、6v均有分布。各基因型在不同性别中的比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);不同年龄段基因型相比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),在30～60岁年龄组,基因型分布最为广泛;在时间分布上,早期HCV基因型较为单一,主要以1b和2a型为主,近年来基因1b型逐渐减少,2i、3a、3b、6a基因型逐渐增多,总的基因类型增多。经输血、血液透析、母婴传播感染患者基因型主要为1b、2a及2i型,性转播、其他途径(拔牙、纹身、纹眉、穿耳、职业暴露等)传播以基因1b型为主,2a、2i、3a、3b型均有分布,而静脉吸毒患者基因型分布较为广泛,1b、2a、2i、3a、3b、6a、6n、6v均有分布。结论合肥地区的HCV基因分型呈多样化,以1b型为主,其次为2a、2i型,同时存在3a、3b、6a、6n、6v基因型。     

长春地区出入境人员感染丙型肝炎病毒的基因分型研究

目的研究长春地区出入境人员感染丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的基因型分布。方法收集42例丙型肝炎阳性者的血清标本,采用基因测序法进行HCV基因型检测和分析。结果 42份HCV阳性血清基因分型分别为1b、1a、2a,其中基因1型21份(占50%),1b亚型13份(占30.95%),1a亚型8份,2a亚型9份。HCV基因型性别、年龄分布差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论长春地区出入境人员感染的HCV以1b型为主,2a型次之。     

山东地区慢性HCV感染者病毒的基因型分布

目的明确山东地区慢性丙型肝炎及丙肝肝硬化患者感染丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的基因型分布,探讨HCV基因型与肝脏疾病严重程度及感染途径之间的关系。方法根据HCV 5′非编码区(NCR)设计基因芯片,对山东地区慢性HCV感染者(慢性丙型肝炎128例,丙肝肝硬化42例)应用基因芯片法检测HCV基因型,并对其中22份标本进行测序,比较慢性丙型肝炎、肝硬化病人HCV基因型分布以及不同途径感染的病HCV人基因型分布的差别。结果 168例患者标本可以分型,HCV基因型分别为:1b型106例,2a型48例,1a及3b型均为2例,1b+2a混合型9例,1a+1b混合型1例;对22例患者标本测序,1b型12例,2a型9例,3b型1例,与基因芯片法检测结果完全一致;肝硬化和慢性肝炎病人的HCV基因型分布差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.82,P>0.05),有输血史者和无输血史者HCV基因型分布差异无统计学意义(χ2=7.63,P>0.05)。结论山东地区HCV主要流行株是基因1b型,其次为2a型,同时有少量的1a、3b型以及混合感染,HCV基因型与疾病的进展及感染途径无关。     

HIV/HCV混合感染者与HCV感染者感染HCV基因型分析*

目的 使用二代测序技术检测广州地区人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）/丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）混合感染者和HCV感染者HCV基因型,了解本地区HCV基因型的流行特点。方法 在233例HCV感染者中,包括95例HIV/HCV混合感染者和138例HCV感染者,使用Illumina Miseq平台PE300模式对HCV Core和NS5B片段进行测序,采用生物信息学分析确定HCV基因型,对测序结果提示混合基因型感染的样本,使用NS5A基因型特异引物进行验证。结果 HIV/HCV混合感染者静脉吸毒感染构成比显著高于HCV感染者（77.7%对19.6% P<0.001）,HCV感染者输血感染的构成比显著高于HIV/HCV混合感染者（48.6%对3.2% P<0.001）;HIV/HCV混合感染者HCV Core基因片段平均数据量为（15456±6689） reads,HCV感染者为（14323±5321） reads,两组无显著差异（P>0.05）;HIV/HCV混合感染者HCV NS5B基因片段平均数据量为（16432±3467） reads,HCV感染者为（17611±5632） reads,也无显著差异（P>0.05）;本组228例（97.9%）HCV感染者为单一HCV基因型感染,HIV/HCV混合感染者HCV 6a型和3b型感染率显著高于HCV感染者（分别为47.4%对26.8%,P=0.001和13.7%对3.6%,P=0.005）,HCV 1b型感染率显著低于HCV感染者（20.0%对59.4%,P<0.001）;在233例入组的HCV感染者中,发现5例（2.1%）为混合基因型感染,其中4例为HIV/HCV混合感染者,1例为HCV感染者。结论 广州地区HIV/HCV混合感染者与HCV感染者感染HCV基因型构成比存在差异,其临床意义还需要探讨。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因分型与血清HCV RNA水平的关系探讨

目的研究HCV基因型的分布,以探讨不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量的差异。方法采用PCR法检测218例慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCV RNA;采用ELISA法检测抗-HCV抗体;使用全自动生化分析仪测定丙氨酸氨基转移酶;采用化学发光免疫分析法测定血清肝纤维化指标;采用基因芯片法进行HCV基因分型。结果在218例HCV RNA阳性血清中共检出9种基因型,分别是lb、2a、3a、3b、6型单基因型共208例和lb+2a、lb+3b、lb+6型、2a+3a共10例四种混合基因型,其中以lb型168例(77.1%)、2a型19例(8.7%)为主;在208例HCV单基因型感染患者中发现不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量无统计学差异(F=0.932,P>0.05);在168例1b基因型和40例非lb基因型感染者,性别差异无统计学意义(x2=0.857,P>0.05),两型感染者之间肝纤维化指标差别比较也无统计学意义。结论我国HCV基因型以lb型为主,基因型与HCV RNA载量及ALT水平之间无相关性。     

Hepatitis G infection and therapeutic response to interferon in HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Circulating HGV-RNA was determined in 117 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease and in 200 healthy blood donors. The patients, aged 50.8+/-13.8 years, were classified as chronic hepatitis (CH; n = 82), liver cirrhosis (n = 25) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 10). HGV-RNA was detected in 5 (4.3%) patients, all with CH and in 10 (5%) of blood donors. The majority of all groups (52% to 70%) were infected with HCV genotype II/1b, including 4/5 patients with HGV co-infection. Of 5 patients with HGV co-infection, 4 were positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc and none exhibited jaundice. A 24-week course of interferon treatment with 12-month follow-up was achieved in 27 patients with chronic active hepatitis, including 3 with HGV co-infection. Of these, 55.6% responded to the therapy, but only 6/27 (22.2%) patients were sustained responders. The majority of sustained responders were HCV genotype III/2a (4/6) while genotype II/1b was found in the majority of patients with relapse (7/9) and non-responders (9/12). At the 48- month follow up, 2/6 sustained responders (one with HGV co-infection) became HCV RNA positive. These results show that the prevalence of HGV infection in HCV-related chronic liver disease is low, as in the general population, and is found in younger patients with chronic hepatitis. HGV coinfection does not interfere with clinical severity, disease progression or response to interferon in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease. The favorable factors ofinterferon treatment for HCV infection are young age, low HCV-RNA levels and HCV genotype III/2a.     

Prevalencia de los marcadores de infección de los virus de las hepatitis en pacientes portadores del VIH en el sur de España

Objectives

To determine: (a) The prevalence of active infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HIV-infected patients, as well as previous exposure to hepatitis A virus (HAV), HBV and HCV. (b) The proportion of patients who have been vaccinated against HAV and/or HBV. (c) The HCV genotype distribution and the percentage of patients who have started treatment against HCV infection.

Methods

All HIV-infected patients who attended the Infectious Diseases Unit of a tertiary care hospital in Southern Spain between September 2008 and February 2009 were included in a prospective cross-sectional study.

Results

A total of 520 patients were included. Three hundred and fifty-eight (69%) patients had positive HCV antibody, while 71% of them showed detectable HCV-RNA. The HCV genotype distribution was: 153 (62%) genotype 1, 49 (20%) genotype 3, and 45 (18%) genotype 4. One hundred and thirteen (36.5%) subjects had received treatment against HCV. The prevalence of active HBV infection was 4.4%, while the exposure to HBV was 54.8%. Four hundred and thirty-seven (84%) patients had positive markers of infection of HAV. Of the patients eligible to be vaccinated, 25.6% and 22.3% patients were vaccinated against HAV and HBV, respectively.

Conclusions

The current prevalence of active HCV infection remains high in our area. There were no changes in the HCV genotype distribution. The number of patients with indication for HBV and HAV vaccination and receive these vaccines is low.     

丙型肝炎病毒基因型与丙型肝炎患者自身抗体的相关性

目的探讨湖州地区丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)感染患者HCV基因型与自身抗体变化的关系,同时分析HCV含量与抗核抗体(anti-nuclear antibody,ANA)检出率的关系。方法收集湖州市中心医院2008年1月至2010年1月传染科门诊和住院HCV RNA阳性患者血清,采用DNA测序法检测HCV基因型,间接免疫荧光法检测ANA和抗平滑肌抗体,斑点免疫印迹法检测抗线粒体抗体M2、Sm、SSA、RO52、SSB及抗着丝点抗体,散射比浊法检测类风湿因子。血清样本按照HCV RNA病毒载量分为高、中、低载量3组。结果共纳入94例HCV患者,其中1a型5例(5.3%),1b型77例(81.9%),2a型9例(9.6%),3a型1例(1.1%),6a型2例(2.1%)。94例HCV患者自身抗体阳性检出率39.4%,其中1b型检出率46.8%,2a型检出率11.1%,1b型与2a型检出率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),其他基因型未检出自身抗体阳性。1b型77例患者可检出ANA、类风湿因子、抗平滑肌抗体、M2、SSA、RO52、SSB、抗着丝点抗体8种自身抗体,2a型9例患者检出ANA、类风湿因子和M23种自身抗体。HCV患者ANA以低滴度颗粒型为主,ANA 1∶100滴度占59.5%(2237),颗粒型占ANA的35.1%(1337),其次是着丝点型。3个载量组分别与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义(χ2分别为6.4、19.9、53.1,均P0.05)。高载量组和低、中载量组比较,差异均有统计学意义(χ2分别为19.5、9.8,均P0.05)。结论湖州地区HCV基因型以1b型为主,HCV不同基因型与自身抗体之间存在密切的关系,其载量高低与自身抗体检出率成正比。     

经血液(非静脉吸毒者)和性途径传播的HIV感染者合并HBV和HCV感染的现状

目的 探讨我国经血液(非静脉吸毒者)和性途径传播的HIV感染者合并乙型肝炎和丙型肝炎的状况.方法 回顾性分析2005年1至9月在全国13个研究中心就诊的362例HIV/AIDS患者(静脉吸毒者除外),应用酶联免疫试剂盒分别测定其HBsAg、抗-HBs,HBeAg、抗-Hbe、抗-HBc和抗-HCV.采用t检验和X2检验分别对计量和计数结果进行统计学分析.结果 315例检测血HBV和HCV的患者中,HBsAg阳性14例,占4.4%;抗-HCV阳性158例,占50.2%,抗-HCV阴性157例,占49.8%;HIV、HBV、HCV共感染2例,占0.6%.抗-HCV阳性组中经血液和性传播的比例分别占92%和4%,以血液传播为主;抗-HCV阴性组中经血液和性传播的比例分别占11%和66%,以性传播为主.抗-HCV阳性组的HIV确诊时间、CD4+T淋巴细胞绝对计数、ALT和AST均高于抗-HCV阴性组.两组患者的HBV标志物表达也存在差异,其中抗-HCV阳性组中HBsAg阳性2例,占1.3%,抗-HCV阴性组中HBsAg阳性12例,占7.6%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(X2=7.542,P<0.01).10例HBsAg阳性者进行HBV DNA检测,其中4例阳性,抗-HCV均为阴性.57例抗-HCV阳性患者进行HCV RNA检测,阳性者占63.2%.结论 我国输血和性传播途径的HIV感染合并HBV或HCV感染,以合并HCV感染为主,并多见于经输血感染者.合并HCV感染可加重HIV患者的肝脏损伤,同时也可能存在干扰HBV复制的情况.     

HIV/HCV合并感染者和HCV单纯感染者NS3/4A蛋白酶、 NS5A抑制剂的天然耐药变异分析

目的 通过对抗病毒治疗前HIV/HCV合并感染者和HCV单纯感染者HCV NS3/4A蛋白酶、NS5A抑制剂相关耐药位点进行检测,探讨上述患者天然耐药变异的差异。方法 收集2016年1月—2020年1月在广州医科大学附属市八医院住院或门诊就诊的246例HIV/HCV合并感染者和HCV单纯感染者的血清标本,使用Illumina二代测序平台进行测序,比较已在中国获批准的NS3/4A蛋白酶、NS5A抑制剂相关耐药变异在两组患者的差异,纳入分析的药物包括阿舒瑞韦/达拉他韦（ASV/DCV,基因1b型）,艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦（EBR/GZR,基因1b型）和格卡瑞韦/哌仑他韦（GLE/PIB,泛基因型）。符合正态分布的计量资料两组间比较采用t检验,不符合正态分布的计量资料两组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验。计数资料两组间比较采用χ²检验或Fisher精确检验。结果 本研究纳入的246例患者的血清样本中,239例（97.2%）成功进行PCR扩增并测序,包括102例HIV/HCV合并感染者和137例HCV单纯感染者。对ASV/DCV和EBR/GZR相关耐药变异分析结果提...     

Virological characteristics of HCV infection in Japanese haemophiliacs

It has been found that almost all haemophiliacs treated with pooled concentrates of clotting factor VIII or IX before 1985/6 have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to clarify the characteristics of HCV infection in Japanese haemophiliacs, we investigated the HCV genotype and HCV-RNA level in 80 patients with haemophilia who had been confirmed to be positive by a second-generation HCV antibody test. HCV-RNA was detected in 60 (75.0%) individuals and various HCV genotypes were found. Although 80% (48/60) of the patients had genotype 1b, the frequency of each genotype was quite different from that in HCV-infected non haemophiliac Japanese. Particularly, multiple HCV genotypes were observed in 27 (46.7%) patients. The mean (± SD) level of HCV-RNA was 5.3 × 10⁵ ±  1.1 × 10⁶ copies mL⁻¹. The viral load in patients with genotype 2a was significantly less common than those with genotype 1a ( P = 0.0007), genotype 1b ( P = 0.0009) and combined genotype 1a/1b ( P = 0.0019). In patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the HCV-RNA level was significantly higher ( P = 0.05) than in those without co-infection. However, there was no significant difference ( P = 0.25) in the HCV-RNA level with HCV/HIV co-infection among the 40 patients with group 1 genotypes. We conclude that this biased distribution of HCV genotypes in Japanese haemophiliacs reflects their specific mode of HCV infection. Moreover, these results suggest that super-infection with HIV does not greatly influence the HCV load in patients with no marked immunological deterioration.     

Virological analysis, genotypes and mutational patterns of the HBV precore/core gene in HBV/HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

We investigated the replicative profile of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses and the mutational pattern of the HBV precore/core (pre-C/C) domain in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty-eight consecutive patients with HCC were included in the study - 18 of them with HBV/HCV co-infection and 20 with HBV single infection. Twenty-three additional patients with co-infection, without HCC were recruited as the control group. Replication activity was evaluated by detecting and quantitating both HBV and HCV genomes. The HBV pre-C/C region, encompassing the pregenome encapsidation signal involved in viral replication, was analysed by direct sequencing. HBV viraemia levels were significantly lower (P = 0.04) in patients with co-infection in comparison with single-infected HCC, whereas two different HBV viraemia profiles were detected in co-infection with or without circulating HCV. HBV genotype D was prevalent in the three groups and HCV genotype 1b was found to be the infecting strain in all patients. Lower variability in the pre-C/C region was found in co-infection in comparison with HBV single infection (P = 0.0004). A synonymous T1936C mutation was found in all co-infected HCC cases not related to the presence or absence of circulating HCV, and a hypermutated pre-C strain, characterized by the same mutational pattern, was identified in three HCC cases. The mutational pattern of the pre-C/C region was closely related to HBV replication efficiency, and specific HBV mutations selectively associated with HCV co-infection could be linked with accelerated HBV/HCV-related disease progression.     

Prevalence of hepatitis C infection among intravenous drug users in Shanghai

AIM:To characterize the prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection among Chinese intravenous drug users(IDUs).METHODS:A total of 432 adult IDUs(95 women and337 men)in Shanghai were included in the study.The third-generation Elecsys Anti-HCV assay(Roche Diagnostics GmbH,Sandhofer Strasse 116,D-68305,Mannheim,Germany)was used to screen for antibodies against HCV.The RIBA strip,a supplemental antiHCV test with high specificity,was performed on all of the samples that tested positive during the initial screening.All of the anti-HCV positive samples were analyzed with a Cobas TaqMan 48 Analyzer(Roche Diagnostics)for direct detection of HCV RNA.All of the HCV RNA-positive samples were sequenced for genotype determination.RESULTS:The preliminary screening identified 262(60.6%)subjects who were seropositive for HCV.Of the 62 females and 200 males seropositive subjects,16(16.7%)and 65(19.3%),respectively,were confirmed by RIBA,yielding an overall HCV seropositive rate of18.8%.Four female(6.5%)and 14 male(7.0%)subjects tested positive for HCV RNA,indicating an active infection rate of 4.2%for the entire study population.The 18 HCV RNA-positive serum samples were genotyped.Seven individuals were genotype 1b,and four were genotype 1a.One individual each was infected with genotypes 2a,2b and 3a.Four subjects were coinfected with multiple strains:two with genotypes 1a and 2a,and two with genotypes 1b and 2a.The active infection rate among HCV-seropositive individuals was22.2%,which was significantly lower than most estimates.CONCLUSION:The prevalence of HCV is relatively low among IDUs in Shanghai,with a spontaneous recovery rate much higher than previous estimates.