A rapid direct microwave irradiation technique for demonstrating hepatitis C virus-associated C100 protein in...

Hepatitis C virus-associated C100 protein was demonstrated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissue from seven patients with non-A, non-B post-transfusion-related chronic liver disease, using a monoclonal antibody, biotin-streptavidin immunostaining and microwave irradiation. C100 antigen expression was limited to hepatocyte cytoplasm but was found in cells with morphological evidence of virus-induced damage and in apparently healthy cells. Positive cells were scattered throughout lobules and cirrhotic nodules with no special relation to vascular or portal structures. No staining was found in bile duct epithelium and sinusoidal cells. The method is suitable for both retrospective studies and diagnostic purposes.