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HCV in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymphocyte subpopulations in C-hepatitis patients
1Laboratory of Medical Investigations, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071-, Granada, Spain
Insights
Detecting Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in both serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is crucial for evaluating treatment effectiveness. Viral RNA persistence in PBMC after serum clearance indicates ongoing infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires effective monitoring strategies.
- Alpha-interferon therapy is a treatment option for HCV, but its long-term efficacy needs evaluation.
- Identifying reliable markers for treatment response is essential for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal marker for monitoring and evaluating Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.
- To assess the role of HCV RNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) during and after alpha-interferon treatment.
Main Methods:
- Patients with chronic hepatitis C received alpha-interferon treatment.
- HCV RNA levels were quantified in serum, PBMC, and lymphocyte subpopulations using RT-PCR and nested PCR.
- Anti-HCV antibodies and serum transaminases were also measured.
Main Results:
- Alpha-interferon treatment reduced detectable HCV RNA in serum from 88% to 25%.
- HCV RNA was detected in PBMC of 61% of patients, particularly in CD19+ cells (87%).
- Serum-negative patients still showed HCV RNA in PBMC in one-third of cases, with a rebound to 43% at 12 months post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Serum HCV RNA clearance during treatment does not guarantee viral eradication from PBMC.
- PBMC HCV RNA detection is a valuable indicator of persistent infection, even when serum is negative.
- Combined HCV RNA testing in serum and blood cells is recommended for comprehensive patient evaluation.
Abstract:
To define the best marker for the follow-up and evaluation of HCV infections we determined anti-HCV antibodies, serum transaminases and HCV RNA in patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis for C virus and treated with alpha-interferon. The presence/absence of HCV RNA was determined in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymphocyte subpopulations. Samples were submitted to RT-PCR and subsequent nested PCR. Treatment with alpha-interferon induced a fall in the number of HCV RNA positive patients from an initial 88 to 25% at the end of the treatment. The withdrawal of treatment was associated with a significant increase in the number of HCV RNA positive patients (43% at the 12-month follow-up). In 61% of the patients the PCR analysis of the PBMC population detected the presence of HCV RNA. In 87% of cases the cell fraction identified as CD19 resulted positive in the PCR test and the viral genome was undetectable in PBMC subpopulations in only 13% of cases. In one third of the patients whose serum was negative for PCR the analysis demonstrated the presence of HCV RNA in PBMC. Conclusions: The disappearance of the viral genome in serum, a criterion of treatment response, is not necessarily followed by its disappearance in PBMC. The joint determination of HCV by PCR technique in serum and blood cells should be used as a particular instrument with each patient.
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