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Full or partial seroreversion in patients infected by hepatitis C virus
J J Lefrère1, S Guiramand, F Lefrère
1Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection clearance, marked by antibody loss (seroreversion), is rare in immunocompetent individuals. This study documents spontaneous and therapy-induced HCV seroreversion in a long-term patient cohort.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to chronic liver disease.
- Seroreversion, or loss of specific antibodies, is documented in immunocompromised patients.
- Spontaneous or therapy-induced HCV clearance with antibody disappearance is poorly understood in immunocompetent individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document well-defined cases of partial or full seroreversion in immunocompetent HCV-infected individuals.
- To investigate the circumstances surrounding HCV seroreversion.
- To assess the long-term implications of HCV seroreversion.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study design.
- Inclusion of 178 multitransfused patients.
- 8-year follow-up period.
- Monitoring of HCV infection markers, including antibodies and viremia.
Main Results:
- Thirty (16.8%) of 178 patients were infected with HCV.
- Five patients (5/30) exhibited partial or full seroreversion.
- Seroreversion involved a quantitative decrease in anti-HCV antibodies.
- Seroreversion occurred spontaneously, was therapy-induced, or associated with HIV infection.
Conclusions:
- HCV seroreversion can occur in immunocompetent individuals.
- Further long-term follow-up is needed to confirm definitive HCV eradication in seroreverters.