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[Anti-HCV and long-term prognosis in patients with non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis]
E Tanaka1, K Kiyosawa, T Sodeyama
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine.
Insights
Detecting antibodies to Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) helps predict chronic non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (NANB-PTH). Higher anti-HCV titers at one year indicate a poorer prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (NANB-PTH) is a significant clinical concern.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a primary cause of NANB-PTH.
- Long-term outcomes and prognostic markers for NANB-PTH require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between anti-HCV antibody status and disease chronicity in NANB-PTH patients.
- To evaluate the utility of anti-HCV titer at one year post-transfusion as a prognostic indicator.
Main Methods:
- Serial serum samples from 20 NANB-PTH patients followed for over 3 years were analyzed for anti-HCV.
- Patients were categorized based on anti-HCV status and persistence during follow-up.
- Liver function tests were monitored throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- The rate of chronic disease was significantly higher in anti-HCV positive patients (85.7%) compared to anti-HCV negative patients (14.3%).
- Patients who lost anti-HCV antibodies (group 2) showed liver function normalization in 6 out of 7 cases.
- Patients with persistent anti-HCV antibodies (group 3) exhibited persistently abnormal liver function tests.
- Anti-HCV titer at one year post-transfusion was significantly higher in patients with persistent disease (group 3) than in those who cleared the antibody (group 2).
Conclusions:
- Anti-HCV positivity is strongly associated with the chronicity of NANB-PTH.
- The disappearance of anti-HCV antibodies often correlates with liver function normalization.
- Anti-HCV titer measurement at one year after post-transfusion hepatitis onset is a valuable tool for predicting disease prognosis.
Abstract:
Anti-HCV was tested in serial serum samples of 20 patients with non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (NANB-PTH) who had been followed for more than 3 years after the onset. The rate of chronicity of disease was significantly higher in anti-HCV positive patients (12 out of 14, 85.7%) than in anti-HCV negative patients (group 1) (1 out of 6 patients, 14.3%). Among 14 anti-HCV positive patients, 7 lost anti-HCV during the follow-up period (group 2) and 6 of these 7 patients revealed normalization of liver dysfunction before or after the disappearance of anti-HCV. To the contrary, remaining 7 patients whose anti-HCV sustained positive (group 3) did show persistent abnormal liver function tests. Anti-HCV titer was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2 at the point of 1 year after PTH. The titration of anti-HCV at 1 year after the onset of PTH was thought to be useful for estimating the prognosis of patients with post-transfusion hepatitis type C.