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Inclusion body myositis associated with hepatitis C virus infection
Y Tsuruta1, T Yamada, T Yoshimura
1Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Abstract:
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a chronic progressive inflammatory myopathy in elders. Three patients with chronic hepatitis C developed IBM. Their muscle biopsies were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for two patients and immunohistochemistry for three patients. The hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA genome was detected in one of the two patients. The degenerated and atrophic muscle fibers were immunoreactive for an anti-HCV antibody in all three patients. Immunoreactivity for an anti-HCV antibody was not apparent in the muscle specimen from an IBM patient without HCV infection. Our findings suggest that HCV infection is related to the pathogenesis in some cases of IBM.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may contribute to the development of inclusion body myositis (IBM), a progressive muscle disorder. Researchers found evidence of HCV in muscle biopsies of IBM patients, suggesting a link between the virus and the disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory myopathy primarily affecting older adults.
- The exact causes of IBM are not fully understood, but autoimmune and inflammatory processes are implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis.
- To examine muscle tissue from IBM patients for evidence of HCV infection.
Main Methods:
- Muscle biopsies from three patients with both chronic hepatitis C and IBM were analyzed.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HCV-RNA in two patients.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect HCV antigens in muscle fibers of all three patients.
Main Results:
- HCV-RNA was detected in the muscle biopsy of one out of two patients tested.
- Degenerated and atrophic muscle fibers showed immunoreactivity for an anti-HCV antibody in all three patients.
- No anti-HCV antibody immunoreactivity was observed in a control IBM patient without HCV infection.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus infection is suggested to be associated with the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis in a subset of patients.
- The presence of HCV in muscle tissue may play a role in the inflammatory and degenerative processes observed in IBM.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking HCV infection to IBM.