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Hepatitis C genotypes in patients with dual hepatitis B and C virus infection
P Pontisso1, M Gerotto, M G Ruvoletto
1Clinica Medica 2, Università di Padova, Italy.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype influences hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. HCV-1 more effectively inhibits HBV replication than HCV-2, which is frequently associated with cirrhosis in coinfected patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic co-infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common.
- An inverse relationship between HBV and HCV replicative activity has been observed in coinfected patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of HCV genotype on the interaction pattern between HBV and HCV.
- To evaluate the impact of different HCV genotypes on HBV replication in coinfected patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 34 patients with chronic HBV and HCV infection were analyzed.
- HCV genotype and viral load (HCV-RNA, HBV-DNA) were determined.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and cirrhosis status were assessed.
Main Results:
- HCV genotype 1 was more effective in inhibiting HBV replication compared to HCV genotype 2.
- Patients coinfected with HBV and HCV genotype 2 showed a higher prevalence of cirrhosis.
- HBV DNA was detected more frequently in patients negative for HCV RNA.
Conclusions:
- HCV genotype plays a significant role in modulating HBV replication in coinfected individuals.
- HCV genotype 2 is associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis in the context of HBV/HCV coinfection.
Abstract:
In patients with chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) infection, an inverse relationship in the replicative activity of the two viruses has been reported. In the present study the genotype of HCV was evaluated in 34 consecutive cases found with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV in the serum, in order to identify its possible influence in determining the pattern of HBV/HCV interaction. Nineteen patients were HCV-RNA positive and could be genotyped: 8 were infected by HCV-1 (3 by HCV-1a and 5 by HCV-1b), 10 by HCV-2, and only 1 by HCV-3. Among these, 3 were HBV-DNA positive, compared to 10 of 15 HCV-RNA-negative patients (P = 0.003), and all 3 were coinfected with HCV-2. Mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were similar between patients infected with HCV-1 and HCV-2. Among 7 patients with cirrhosis 5 were infected by HCV-2, while 6 of 12 of those without cirrhosis had HCV-1 infection. In conclusion, HBV replication was inhibited more efficiently by HCV-1 than by HCV-2. Cirrhosis was frequently found in patients with dual HBV and HCV-2 infection.