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[The virus of non-A, non-B hepatitis. Serological diagnosis]
1Centre de Transfusion, C.H.U. Liège, Sart Tilman.
Insights
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) cause non-A, non-B hepatitis. Diagnosis involves antibody detection or viral genome identification via PCR.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
Context:
- Non-A, non-B hepatitis presents in enteric, post-transfusional, and sporadic forms.
- Epidemiological data and viral persistence are key to understanding these hepatitis types.
Purpose:
- To differentiate and characterize the viral agents responsible for non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- To outline diagnostic methodologies for HEV and HCV infections.
Summary:
- Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a non-enveloped, single-strand RNA virus (27-34 nm) belonging to the Caliciviridae family.
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is an enveloped virus (50-60 nm) with a single-strand RNA genome (10,000 nucleotides), part of the Flaviviridae family.
- Diagnosis relies on detecting antibodies against the C100-3 antigen, confirmed by neutralization assays, or identifying viral genome sequences using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Impact:
- Provides a foundational understanding of HEV and HCV classification and characteristics.
- Establishes serological and molecular diagnostic approaches for non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- Contributes to the etiological clarification of viral hepatitis subtypes.
Abstract:
Persistence of viral post-transfusion hepatitis together with epidemiological data led to identify 3 forms of clinical non A non B hepatitis: enteric, post-transfusional and sporadic hepatitis. Two groups of viruses are responsible for this pathology; they are designated as HEV (Hepatitis E Virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). HEV described by D. Bradley is a 27 to 34 nm. non enveloped particle containing a single strand RNA and belonging to the calicivividae family. HCV described by M. Houghton is a 50 to 60 nm. enveloped virus containing a 10,000 nucleotide long single strand RNA who belongs to the Flaviviridae family. The serological diagnosis is based on the detection of antibodies against the C100-3 antigen, a 363 amino acid recombinant protein produced in yeasts. Reactive samples are to be confirmed for antibodies specificity by using a neutralization assay in the presence of the same antigenic material. Alternatively, it is also possible to identify some sequences of viral genome in the serum, after amplification by the technic of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).