西藏地区藏族人群HCV感染状况及HCV基因型分析

目的和方法:西藏族地区不同人群HCV感染状况及HCV基因现分析,对采自西藏地区藏族不同人群781份血清分别进行了抗-HCV ELISA和HCV RNA基因型检测结果,结果显示:该地区自然人群、急性肝炎、慢性迂延性肝炎、慢性活动性肝炎、肝硬化和肝细胞癌患者中抗-HCV阳性率分别为2.4%、8.3%、15.8%、25.9%、34.8%及24.3%,HCV感染者中有5l.6%具有输血史及使用血制品史.结论:本实验结果提示经血传播是该地区HCV的主要感染途径.该地区人群HCV基因型分布以Ⅱ型为主(51.4%),其次是Ⅲ型(27.0%)和Ⅰ型(6.8%),并有少量混合型(14.8%).     

HCV non-structural protein 3 and HCV RNA genome in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and transition of the serum HCV RNA level: a retrospective analysis in one institution

There have been various reports on the association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with B lymphocyte proliferative disorders, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We experienced a case (Case 1) of anti-HCV antibody (HCV-Ab)-positive NHL in which HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) expression was observed in lymphoma tissue at the time of recurrence and in which the serum HCV RNA level exhibited a transient increase prior to recurrence. We investigated the HCV RNA genome in lymphoma tissue in Case 1, and it could be detected at recurrence. We also investigated HCV NS3 protein expression in lymphoma tissue and changes in serum HCV RNA level during the clinical course in four other cases of HCV-Ab-positive NHL treated in our hospital. We examined lymphoma tissues for HCV NS3 protein expression in four of the five cases, but it was not identified except for in Case 1 at recurrence. In three cases with no recurrence, serum HCV RNA levels showed a tendency to decrease after completion of chemotherapy and became stable thereafter. Further studies are necessary to clarify the association between serum HCV RNA and the onset and exacerbation of NHL.     

Fluctations in viral load (HCV RNA) are relatively insignificant in untreated patients with chronic HCV infection

SUMMARY. A recently available assay to quantify serum viral load in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been used to evaluate the effects of anti-viral therapies. However, variability in HCV RNA levels in untreated patients with HCV infection has not yet been established. We therefore prospectively measured the biological fluctuations of HCV RNA in sera from untreated patients with chronic HCV infection. Sera were collected from seven patients at 8 am and 4 pm on the same day to assess the effect of diurnal variation, daily for 5 days in a further 10 patients, biweekly for 6 weeks in nine patients and monthly for 3 months in 11 patients. All patients had biopsy-proven chronic liver disease with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values and had not received anti-viral treatment. HCV RNA was measured blinded, in duplicate, using the quantitative branched (bDNA) amplification assay (Quantiplex™ HCV RNA. Chiron Co. Erneryville. CA) 36 of the 37 patients studied had measurable HCV RNA throughout the study. There was no significant correlation between HCV RNA levels and ALT values or histological activity. HCV RNA levels did not appear to vary significantly within any of the groups studied and there did not appear to be a change associated with diurnal variation. All individual patients demonstrated less than a threefold fluctuation in HCV RNA throughout the study period. Hence HCV RNA levels remain relatively stable in untreated individuals with chronic HCV infection. Changes of a magnitude of threefold (0.5 log) or greater in HCV RNA levels were not observed in untreated patients.     

HCV和HIV-1合并感染标本中HCV基因分型

目的了解丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）和人类免疫缺陷病毒Ｉ型（ＨＩＶ－１）混合感染标本中ＨＣＶ基因型情况。方法采用了根据ＨＣＶ５′端非转译区基因组所设计的反相探针杂交测定方法（ＩＮＮＯＬｉＰＡ，ＨＣＶⅡ），对来自六个地区的１７份抗－ＨＣＶ和抗－ＨＩＶ－１双阳性标本进行ＨＣＶ基因型分型研究。结果在１７份标本中，７份（４１．１８％）为Ｉ（１ｂ）型病毒，５份（２９．４１％）为Ⅱ（２ａ／２ｃ）型病毒，５份（２９．４１％）为Ｉ型（１ｂ）和Ⅱ（２ａ／２ｃ）混合型病毒。结论发现ＨＣＶ与ＨＩＶ－１合并感染标本中存在Ｉ（１ｂ）型、Ⅱ（２ａ／２ｃ）型以及Ｉ（１ｂ）型与Ⅱ（２ａ／２ｃ）型混合型ＨＣＶ。值得注意的是对α－干扰素治疗不敏感并且较易趋于导致严重的慢性肝炎、肝硬化和肝细胞癌的Ⅱ型ＨＣＶ感染的比率占７０．５８％（１２／１７）。     

HCV感染引起的HCV感染相关性肾炎1例报道

患者因输血而感染HCV,在应用泼尼松治疗肾病同时,HCV复制激活,引起肾功能损害,肾病理检查提示膜型肾小球肾炎、系膜增生性病变伴肾小球硬化、肾小管-间质慢性病变及血管壁内膜增厚、肾组织有HCV抗体;给予IFNα300万U隔日1次,皮下注射,联合利巴韦林0．3mg,3次／d,疗程12个月,尿蛋白降低,肾功能改善,浮肿消退。     

庚型肝炎病毒同丙型肝炎病毒的联合感染和单独感染

为了建立ＨＧＶ感染的酶免疫诊断方法，用计算机技术分析了ＨＧＶ序列，预测核心区，ＮＳ３区的抗原表位，合成了多段的ＨＧＶ核心和ＮＳ３区合成肽，通过免疫筛选试验，证实Ｃ２９，Ｃ４０和Ｎ３１０三段肽有免疫原性。用这三面肽包被酶标板，用间接免疫试验原理，建立了ＨＧＶ的ＥＩＡ检测方法。用中和抑制试验检测了该方法的特异性。使用ＨＧＶ ＥＩＡ方法检测卫生部临床检测中心提供的ＨＣＶ ＥＩＡ参比血清，发现３／９２抗－     

Evidence of occult HCV genotypes in haemophilic individuals with unapparent HCV mixed infections

Summary.  Individuals with haemophilia who received non heat-treated factor concentrates were likely to undergo multiple exposures to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Therefore, HCV mixed-genotype infections might be more frequent in these patients than in the general population. Their prevalence is extremely variable in similar groups of patients tested by different assays due to the fact that currently available genotyping techniques are not suitable to detect multiple HCV genotypes in a viral population. As an HCV viral reservoir, the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) might harbor viral variants distinct from the genotypes detected in plasma. We investigated the presence of HCV genotypes in a group of chronically infected haemophilic patients in the PBMC compartment using a non-stimulated cell culture system that allows the detection of the HCV genome in culture supernatants. We compared them to the HCV genotypes found in plasma samples. Cell culture experiments performed with PBMC demonstrated the presence of additional HCV genotypes that were undetected in the corresponding plasma samples with the same genotyping technique. Although mixed infections at HCV genotype level became evident in 5.6% of the patients (16/288), the culture methodology increased the number of HCV infections with multiple genotypes to 62.5% (10/16) ( P  < 0.0001). Once more, the role of mononuclear cells as HCV viral reservoirs is emphasized. Considering minor strains could influence the outcome of treatment, detection of covert HCV mixed-genotype infections might be essential for choosing the adequate therapeutic regimen.     

HCV recovery from peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants derived from HCV–HIV co-infected haemophilic patients with undetectable HCV viraemia

Hepatitis C viraemia, in 38 human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+)/hepatitis C virus positive (HCV+) patients, was determined in haemophilic patients during the 4 years since initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Six of 38 patients had persistently HCV-negative viraemia for more than 2 years. No correlation between HCV-negative viraemia and CD4+ T-cell counts, HIV viral load, age, type or severity of haemophilia could be established. Reduced levels of HIV viral load and the immune reconstitution that follows the initiation of HAART were not enough to explain the disappearance of HCV from plasma. Individuals who cleared plasma HCV had significantly higher CD8+ T-cell counts (P=0.0013) (mean +/- SE: 1153 +/- 117.8 cells microL(-1)) than those with HCV-positive viraemia (819.1 +/- 40.72 cells microL(-1)). Because HCV could maintain a low replication level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we cultured PBMC of five of six patients with undetectable HCV viraemia. We found four of five HCV RNA-positive cultures. The presence of HCV RNA in our cultures proved that these cells may be an important viral reservoir that could contribute to HCV recurrence in plasma even after long periods of negative viraemia. In summary, our results indicate that in spite of prolonged HCV-negative plasma viraemia, HCV patients that are co-infected with HIV may harbour replication-competent HCV in their PBMC. Therefore, true clearance of HCV infection is difficult to achieve in these patients.     

Comparison of the Bayer VERSANT HCV RNA 3.0 and the Roche COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor, Version 2.0, assays in HCV genotype 4 infection

Prediction of treatment response is clinically important in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 infection. Early viral kinetics is useful in this respect for genotype 1 but interpretation is dependent on assay linearity and reproducibility. The VERSANT HCV RNA 3.0 (bDNA-3.0) and the COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor 2.0 (HCM-2.0) have been widely used quantitative assays. We wanted to comparatively evaluate the two tests in a large genotype 4 sample. Genotyping was performed by NS5b sequencing. Viral load was tested in parallel in 32 patients at least six times on antiviral therapy with interferon alpha (IFNalpha). Totally, 198 samples within a quantitative range from undetectable to about 7 x 10(6) IU/mL (bDNA-3.0) were obtained and compared. Twenty-two samples with viral load above 500 000 IU/mL tested by HCM-2.0 were 1:100 diluted and retested. Quantitative values were fitted to a third order polynomial (M = 0.118303 + 1.07503 x V+ 0.0112128 x V(2) - 0.0055504 x V(3); M...HCM-2.0, V...bDNA-3.0, both log IU/mL) showing progressive nonlinearity of HCM-2.0 above 100 000 IU/mL but better clinical sensitivity with respect to bDNA-3.0. Dilution lead to a gain of at least a factor of 2.7 and thus, overestimation compared with bDNA-3.0. Deviation from linearity and overestimation upon dilution by HCM-2.0 are similar with HCV genotype 4, compared with other HCV genotypes. Differences in test performance were not detected for subtypes but for individual patients possibly related to specific quasi-species patterns. The interpretation of viral kinetic data becomes difficult due to overestimation upon dilution of baseline values by HCM-2.0.     

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。     

HCV counselling in haemophilia care

Summary. The many areas of uncertainty about HCV make counselling patients with haemophilia and HCV a challenge. In this review a brief summary is made of the current understanding of the natural history of hepatitis C infection, the modes of transmission, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options available. This forms a necessary background to counselling patients and their contacts. Some difficulties are highlighted and counselling guidelines about the disease with patients are suggested.     

HCV viremia is associated with drug use in young HIV-1 and HCV coinfected pregnant and non-pregnant women

AIMS: Vertical transmission of HCV is increased among HIV-1/HCV coinfected women and is related to HCV viral load. In this study we assessed clinical and demographic factors associated with HCV viremia in a cohort of young pregnant and non-pregnant mothers coinfected with HIV-1. DESIGN: A cross-sectional clinic-based study nested within a prospective cohort study. METHODS: From 1988 to 2000, HIV-1 + pregnant and non-pregnant women with children followed in a large maternal, child and adolescent HIV-1 clinic were evaluated for HCV infection using EIA 3.0. HCV RNA levels were determined for HCV antibody + women using polymerase chain reaction. Demographic and clinical characteristics between HCV-RNA(+) and HCV-RNA(-) women and between pregnant and non-pregnant HIV-1/HCV coinfected women were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. FINDINGS: Among 359 HIV-1(+) women, 84 (23%) were HCV-ab + and 49/84 (58%) had detectable HCV-RNA in plasma. Median age was 31. CD4 counts, HIV-1 RNA levels and demographic characteristics were similar for viremic and non-viremic women and pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, viremic women were more likely to report a history of (88% versus 43%; P < 0.001) or active injection drug use (AIDU) (83% versus 29%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that HCV viremia was associated significantly with AIDU (adjusted OR: 15.17; 95% CI: 3.56, 64.56) after adjusting for age, race, number of sexual partners, pregnancy status, CD4 counts and HIV-1 viral load. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of young HIV-1 and HCV coinfected women, HCV viremia was associated strongly with active injection drug use, perhaps due to reinfection or reactivation of HCV. Thus, careful evaluation for HCV infection and counseling related to drug use may be necessary.     

Impact of HCV Eradication on Lipid Metabolism in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients: Data from ICONA and HepaICONA Foundation Cohort Study

Objectives: HCV shows complex interactions with lipid metabolism. Our aim was to examine total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) changes in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, after achieving sustained virological response (SVR), according to different HCV genotypes and specific antiretroviral use. Methods: HIV/HCV coinfected patients, enrolled in the ICONA and HepaICONA cohorts, who achieved DAA-driven SVR were included. Paired t-tests were used to examine whether the pre- and post-SVR laboratory value variations were significantly different from zero. ANCOVA regression models were employed to estimate the causal effect of SVR and of PI/r use on lipid changes. The interaction between the effect of eradication and HCV genotype was formally tested. Results: six hundred and ninety-nine HIV/HCV coinfected patients were enrolled. After HCV eradication, a significant improvement in liver function occurred, with a significant decrease in AST, ALT, GGT, and total plasmatic bilirubin. TC and LDL-C significantly increased by 21.4 mg/dL and 22.4 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001), after SVR, whereas there was no evidence for a change in HDL-C (p = 0.45) and triglycerides (p = 0.49). Notably, the TC and LDL-C increase was higher for participants who were receiving darunavir/ritonavir, and the TC showed a more pronounced increase among HCV genotype 3 patients (interaction-p value = 0.002). Conclusions: complex and rapid changes in TC and LDL-C levels, modulated by HCV genotype and PI/r-based ART combinations, occurred in HIV/HCV coinfected patients after SVR. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical impact of these changes on the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.     

Longitudinal variation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) viraemia and early course of HCV infection after liver transplantation for HCV cirrhosis: the role of different immunosuppressive regimens

BACKGROUND: The role of the type of immunosuppression in the natural history of post-transplant hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear. AIMS: To evaluate the fluctuation of HCV viraemia and the early course of infection, and their relation to the type of immunosuppression in HCV transplant patients. METHODS: In 47 HCV transplant patients, serum HCV RNA levels were determined pretransplant and at one and two weeks, and three and 12 months after transplant. Initial immunosuppression was triple (cyclosporin, azathioprine, prednisolone) in 31, double (cyclosporin, prednisolone) in five, and single (cyclosporin or tacrolimus) in 11 patients. Prednisolone was withdrawn at a median of six months. RESULTS: At three months, HCV RNA levels were higher in patients with single than with triple or double initial therapy. At 12 months, HCV RNA levels correlated only with duration of prednisolone treatment and were relatively higher in patients with triple compared with single initial immunosuppression. A higher necroinflammatory activity at 12 months post-transplant was found in patients with post-transplant acute hepatitis compared with those without. Extent of fibrosis at 12 months was associated with the 12 month HCV RNA level and occurrence of post-transplant acute hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: HCV RNA levels at three months after transplant are higher in patients treated with single initial immunosuppressive therapy, but at 12 months are higher in patients with longer duration of steroid treatment. HCV viraemia at 12 months seems to be particularly important, as its levels are strongly correlated with the severity of fibrosis.     

Early HCV RNA Values After Interferon Predict Response

The aim of this study is to determine inpatients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) whetherearly HCV RNA measurements at 48 hr following standarddoses of interferon- (IFN-) (3 million IU) would predict response during six months oftherapy. Twenty-three patients with HCV were treatedwith IFN- 3 million IU three times a week and HCVRNA levels were quantified by branched-chain (b-)DNA analysis at baseline and 24 and 48 hr followingIFN- and at one, three, and six months. Meanbaseline HCV RNA levels significantly declined from 6.0± 1.6 Meq/ml at baseline to 2.4 ± 0.7Meq/ml 24 hr after IFN-. However, HCV RNAvalues increased to 4.3 ± 1.1 Meq/ml by 48 hr.Mean HCV RNA values at one and six months were notsignificantly lower than 48-hr values. In six patientsin whom HCV RNA was negative by bDNA at 48 hr, threewere negative by polymerase chain reaction at sixmonths. Of the 17 patients who were positive by bDNA at48 hr, all were positive at one and three months; and in the nine of nine who continued therapy forsix months, there was no further decrease in HCV RNAlevels. In patients receiving standard doses ofIFN- (3 million IU), serum RNA values 48 hr after the first injection predict long-termresponse.